Kolkata, 9 December (H.S.):

With the beginning of the second week of December, a sharp rise in winter chill has gripped the entire state. From Kolkata to the districts, the cold mornings and evenings have pushed people towards sweaters, blankets, and warm clothing. According to the Meteorological Department, the cold spell is likely to continue throughout the week, with temperatures remaining below normal across Bengal.

Officials from the weather office said there is currently no indication of any new low-pressure area or cyclone forming over the Bay of Bengal. As a result, cold winds from the north are entering Bengal without interruption, causing a steady drop in temperature. The forecast suggests that the mercury may dip further by the weekend.

For the last three days, Kolkata’s night temperature has remained around 15 degrees Celsius. Saturday recorded the coldest night of the season so far, with the minimum temperature dropping to 14 degrees Celsius. On Monday, the city registered 15 degrees Celsius, which is 1.6 degrees below normal.

A strong cold spell is also prevailing in several districts of South Bengal. Bankura recorded 10 degrees Celsius, while Sriniketan reported 9.8 degrees Celsius. The weather department stated that both day and night temperatures in these districts are consistently below normal, and this pattern is expected to continue for the next seven days. During this period, fog is also likely to increase, especially in coastal areas.

North Bengal is experiencing an even more intense cold wave. Darjeeling recorded a minimum of 4.5 degrees Celsius, while Alipurduar registered 11 degrees Celsius. Dense fog has been reported from many areas during early morning hours, causing inconvenience to local residents and tourists. According to the department, the fog cover may become even thicker in the coming days, further reducing visibility in the region.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh