Kolkata, 20 March (H.S.): Parts of West Bengal have been experiencing gusty winds and rain since the beginning of the Chaitra month, with the Alipore Meteorological Department warning that the inclement weather may continue for a few more days.

In Kolkata, rain has been recorded over the past few days, and a warning has been issued for squally winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph on Friday. The sea conditions remain rough due to continuous moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal.

Several districts in south Bengal are likely to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, gusty winds and hailstorms. Wind speeds may reach 60–70 kmph in districts including Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia till Saturday, the Met office said.

Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea on Friday and Saturday as wind speeds over the sea are likely to range between 40 and 50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph at places, making the sea rough.

In north Bengal, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been forecast in districts such as Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar over the next few days, with gusty winds reaching 50–60 kmph. The adverse weather conditions are likely to persist till Monday, it added.

Hailstorms are also likely in several south Bengal districts, with alerts issued for as many as 12 districts, including Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Purulia, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur, among others.

According to the Met office, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius on Friday, 1.8 notches above normal. The maximum temperature on Thursday was 32.6 degrees Celsius, 1.6 notches below normal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey