Kolkata, 09 November (H.S.) : The threat of rain continues to hover over West Bengal during the ongoing festive season. Although the recent depression has dissipated and there are no fresh cyclone warnings, the Alipore Meteorological Department has forecast scattered rainfall across Kolkata and other South Bengal districts until Wednesday. However, weather officials indicated that the mercury is expected to drop significantly following this brief wet spell.

According to the weather office, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, which is 1.1 degrees above normal. The city's maximum temperature on Sunday stood at 30.2 degrees Celsius, marginally 0.8 degrees below normal. Forecasters predict that the minimum temperature across both North and South Bengal districts may rise by two to three degrees over the next 48 hours, followed by a brief period of no significant change. A noticeable chill is expected from Saturday, with minimum temperatures likely to fall by two to four degrees across the state. The maximum temperature is not expected to witness any immediate fluctuations.

Between Monday and Wednesday, South Bengal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Murshidabad, and Nadia, are likely to experience scattered light showers. A specific warning for thunderstorms accompanied by rain has been issued for North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, and West Midnapore for Tuesday. While no heavy downpour is anticipated anywhere, the remaining districts of South Bengal may witness light precipitation on Tuesday and Wednesday. The weather is expected to remain dry across the southern region thereafter.

In North Bengal, the meteorological department has ruled out any major weather disruptions, predicting only scattered rainfall in the early half of the week. Rain is forecast in North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda starting Monday, and in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri from Tuesday. Additionally, a thunderstorm warning has been issued for Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong for Tuesday. Dry weather conditions will prevail across the entire North Bengal region following Wednesday's showers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh