Kolkata, 14 March (H.S.): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kolkata on Saturday, concerns were raised over possible rainfall affecting scheduled events. However, the Alipore Meteorological Department has indicated that the possibility of rain in the city on Saturday is low. A change in weather conditions is, however, expected from Sunday.

According to the weather office, Kolkata may experience scattered light rainfall from Sunday through next Friday. Gusty winds with speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour are also likely during this period. A special alert has been issued for Sunday and Monday.

Apart from Kolkata, districts including Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Nadia have been placed under alert for thunderstorms and rain on Sunday and Monday. In some areas, wind speeds may reach 40 to 50 km per hour.

South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur will remain under alert till Tuesday. Other districts of South Bengal are likely to witness similar weather conditions again on Thursday and Friday after Monday. Light to moderate rainfall accompanied by gusty winds is expected across these regions.

North Bengal is likely to experience comparatively more intense weather activity. Alerts have been issued for all districts in the region till next Friday. Heavy rainfall ranging between seven and 11 cm is likely on Monday in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, Alipurduar and Kalimpong. Wind speeds of 40 to 50 km per hour are also expected in these districts.

Temperature fluctuations likely

Due to changing weather conditions, maximum temperatures in South Bengal may rise by two to three degrees Celsius over the next two days, followed by a fall over the subsequent two days. In North Bengal, no significant change in temperature is expected over the next seven days.

On Saturday morning, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 25.7 degrees Celsius, which is 3.1 degrees above normal. On Friday, the maximum temperature stood at 33.7 degrees Celsius, marginally 0.1 degrees above normal.

The Meteorological Department stated that the cyclonic circulation over Bangladesh and Gangetic West Bengal has weakened, although the associated trough line remains active. The system extends from about 1.5 km to 4.5 km above mean sea level. Due to its influence, significant moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal is continuing over the landmass, creating favourable conditions for thunderstorms and rainfall.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh