Purulia rivals Kalimpong as tourists flock in droves as severe winter tightens its hold

The frontier district of Purulia in Jangalmahal is reeling under an intense cold wave, with temperatures steadily dropping over the past week. For the second consecutive day, Purulia has rivalled Kalimpong as one of the coldest places in the state. According to the district agriculture department, the minimum temperature dipped to 7°C on Monday. A day earlier, the district recorded its coldest night of the season at 6°C.

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Winter of the mountains

In comparison, Kalimpong recorded minimum temperatures of 11°C on Sunday and 9.5°C on Monday. Despite the biting cold, Christmas festivities continue across Purulia, with tourists still flocking to the district’s popular destinations.

The prolonged cold spell has disrupted daily life. Morning activity has slowed significantly, with streets remaining largely empty until around 9:30 or 10 am. Dense fog blankets the district for several hours each morning, and the sun typically appears only after 10 am. Even during the day, residents continue to rely on sweaters and shawls as icy winds persist. Streets empty early in the evening as temperatures drop further.

Veil of fog takes away visibility

For the past three to four days, fog has dominated morning hours across the district, severely affecting visibility. “I leave with the bus before 5 am every day. In that cold, I can’t even touch water. My hands and feet freeze,” said Tapan Kumbhakar, a bus worker on the Purulia–Adra route. Bus driver Ramprasad Baske added, “Even after sunrise, roads remain unclear due to fog. Driving requires extreme caution.”

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Vehicles across the district are running with fog lights well into the morning. With peak tourist season underway, vehicles from other districts and states continue to arrive day and night, heading to destinations such as Ayodhya Hills, Garpanchkot, Baranti, Murguma and Joychandi Hills. In response, police have launched awareness drives urging motorists to travel cautiously.

Surprise for tourists

Tea stalls across Purulia have become crowded from early morning, as both locals and tourists stop frequently to escape the cold. Hotels, homestays and resorts across tourist hubs are reporting full occupancy.

Tourists, meanwhile, are embracing the chill. “I wouldn’t have known winter could be this enjoyable if I hadn’t come here,” said Gaurab Chakraborty, visiting from Naihati. Sanjay Majumdar from Salt Lake remarked, “I’ve been to Darjeeling many times, but Purulia is not behind at all.”

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Explaining the weather conditions, Dhrubajyoti Chattopadhyay of the Purulia District Science Centre said the sharp temperature drop is due to the inflow of cold northern winds. He added that meteorologists had earlier predicted a harsher winter this year, influenced by heavy monsoon activity linked to La Niña. Temperatures in Purulia, he said, are expected to fall further in the coming days.