Kolkata, 15 November (H.S.) : A low-pressure area forming over the Bay of Bengal is steadily intensifying and is likely to concentrate into a cyclonic storm, threatening to directly impact Kolkata and the broader South Bengal region. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the cyclonic conditions are expected to trigger scattered rainfall and gusty winds across various parts of South Bengal in the coming week. Consequently, a noticeable drop in temperature is also anticipated across the state.

The weather department reported that the low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal became well-marked by Saturday, with an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 kilometers above mean sea level. This system is projected to concentrate into a deep depression by Sunday. Moving in a north-northwesterly direction, it has a high probability of intensifying into a full-fledged cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal by Monday evening. While the system is currently tracking northwest, the meteorological office is maintaining a close watch, noting that specific forecasts regarding its final trajectory and exact landfall location have not yet been issued.

Weather experts indicate that while North Bengal will remain largely unaffected, the impending storm will have a widespread impact across the southern districts. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms is predicted for Kolkata and several South Bengal districts on Thursday and Friday. Coastal districts, including South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, and Paschim Medinipur, may experience showers starting as early as Wednesday. Anticipating the adverse weather, authorities have issued a yellow alert from Thursday onwards for Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, and Jhargram. These areas are also expected to experience squally winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour, after which dry weather conditions are expected to resume once the storm passes.

Regarding temperature fluctuations, the weather in North Bengal will predominantly remain dry, with minimum temperatures expected to dip by two degrees over the next 48 hours before stabilizing for the subsequent four days. In South Bengal, particularly in Kolkata and its adjoining districts, night temperatures are likely to drop by two to three degrees. For context, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 21.9 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, which was 1.6 degrees above normal, while the maximum temperature on Friday settled at 29.2 degrees Celsius, registering 1.4 degrees below the seasonal average.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh