Kolkata, 03 January (H.S.) :

Kolkata witnessed a rise of nearly 2 degrees Celsius in its minimum temperature over the last two days, in line with the forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department. On Saturday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 13.1 degrees Celsius, which was still 1.1 degrees below normal. While the chill eased slightly, cold conditions continued to be felt across the city.

The weather office has predicted that over the next two days, minimum temperatures in Kolkata and other districts of south Bengal may increase by another 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. However, a fresh drop in temperature is expected from next week. Despite the marginal rise in Kolkata, winter conditions continue to prevail in several parts of south Bengal, especially in the western districts.

In fact, temperatures in several districts are hovering around the 8-degree mark. Meteorologists have attributed the current rise in temperature to the influence of a western disturbance. Due to this system, light rainfall is likely in parts of north Bengal, along with the possibility of snowfall in higher altitudes.

On Thursday, Kolkata’s minimum temperature was recorded at 11.6 degrees Celsius, while a day earlier, on Wednesday, it had dropped to 11 degrees Celsius — the coldest day of the season so far. Within two days, the mercury climbed back to the 13-degree range. The city’s maximum temperature on Friday stood at 23.2 degrees Celsius, which was 1.9 degrees below normal.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, temperatures are expected to rise gradually from Friday to Sunday, after which weather conditions may remain steady for two to three days. Minimum temperatures in Kolkata are likely to stay between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius, while western districts may record lows between 10 and 14 degrees Celsius. Officials said the winter chill has weakened temporarily due to the western disturbance, but once its impact subsides, colder conditions are likely to return. A drop of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius is expected during the second week of January. At present, the western disturbance is positioned over Punjab and adjoining areas in northwest India.

Darjeeling recorded the lowest temperature in the state on Friday at 4.4 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, after Darjeeling, no north Bengal location featured among the coldest places. Instead, a close contest for lower temperatures was seen among towns in south Bengal. Birbhum’s Suri recorded the second-lowest temperature in the state at 8 degrees Celsius. Other places included Berhampore in Murshidabad at 8.4 degrees, Uluberia in Howrah at 8.6 degrees, Sriniketan in Birbhum at 8.8 degrees, and Kalyani in Nadia at 8.9 degrees Celsius.

The weather office has also forecast rainfall in north Bengal districts such as Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri due to the western disturbance. In the Darjeeling hills and adjoining mountainous areas, minimum temperatures are expected to remain between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is likely in Sikkim, and higher reaches of Darjeeling, including Sandakphu, Phalut, Ghoom, and Chatakpur, may also witness snowfall in the coming days.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh