Kolkata, 10 January (H.S.):

After a slight increase in minimum temperatures for the past two days, the cold intensified again in the city on Friday night. Kolkata's minimum temperature was recorded at 12.1 degrees Celsius on Thursday night, but it dropped to 11.5 degrees Celsius on Friday night. This temperature is about 2.5 degrees Celsius below normal. The maximum temperature recorded on Friday was 22.6 degrees Celsius, which is 2.1 degrees Celsius below normal.

According to the Meteorological Department's forecast, the cold spell will continue throughout Bengal until Makar Sankranti. Dense fog is expected in many districts of North and South Bengal in the morning, which may reduce visibility. However, the sky will clear up and the sun will shine as the day progresses. Due to the cold winds, the real feel temperature in Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and Nadia districts will feel even colder than the recorded temperature.

A special warning has been issued for pilgrims going to the Gangasagar Mela regarding the dense fog in the morning. The Kakdwip-Kachuberia ferry and vessel services are likely to be disrupted due to the fog.

The cold spell will also continue in North Bengal. The cold will feel even more intense than the actual temperature in Cooch Behar and both Dinajpur districts. An alert has also been issued for dense fog in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and North Dinajpur.

According to the Meteorological Department, no major change in Kolkata's temperature is expected for the next week. The night temperature will remain between 10 and 13 degrees Celsius. Both day and night temperatures will remain below normal for at least the next four days. The cold will feel more intense in the morning due to fog and cold winds, although the sky will be clear during the day. The weather will remain dry, and there is no possibility of rain.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey