West Bengal, 19 May (H.S.): People across South Bengal, who have been struggling with intense heat and humidity over the past several days, may finally get some relief as the India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms and rain across all districts of the region.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Office, Kolkata is also likely to receive rainfall after Tuesday evening. The weather department has warned that several districts may witness Kalbaisakhi storms accompanied by gusty winds, lightning and heavy showers over the next 48 hours.

Despite the possibility of rain, officials said relief from humidity and uncomfortable weather conditions is expected to remain limited throughout the week.

From Tuesday morning, Kolkata experienced alternating spells of bright sunshine and cloudy skies. The humid conditions caused considerable discomfort to residents from the early hours of the day.

The weather office recorded the city’s minimum temperature at 29.2 degrees Celsius, which is 2.5 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35.9 degrees Celsius, slightly above the seasonal average.

The Meteorological Department stated that districts including Nadia, Purba Bardhaman and Birbhum are likely to experience strong Kalbaisakhi storms during the next two days. However, temperatures in some western districts of South Bengal may still touch 40 degrees Celsius despite the rainfall activity.

While South Bengal continues to reel under heat and humidity, North Bengal is expected to witness widespread rainfall. The weather department has forecast heavy rain in several districts ranging from Darjeeling to Malda on Tuesday.

Strong winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, are also likely in these areas, the department added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey