Kolkata, 1 September (H.S.): The monsoon pattern in West Bengal has remained highly erratic this year, with July and August painting two very different pictures. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), July 2025 turned out to be the most humid month in Kolkata in the last 15 years, spanning 2011 to 2025, setting a new benchmark in the city’s weather records.

However, the scenario shifted drastically in August. The month ended on Sunday with only 278.3 mm of rainfall, far below the city’s average of 372.1 mm for August. This marks a deficit of nearly 94 mm.

IMD data further reveals that in the past 15 years, Kolkata has recorded even lower August rainfall only on three occasions. This makes August 2025 another significant entry in the city’s record books, but this time for its rainfall shortage.

The sharp contrast between July’s excessive humidity and August’s notable deficit underscores the unpredictability of Kolkata’s monsoon, highlighting how quickly weather patterns can shift within a single season.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh