Kolkata, 22 May (H.S.): Residents across West Bengal continue to reel under intense summer heat as the month of Jyeshtha brings scorching temperatures and high humidity, particularly in Kolkata and several parts of South Bengal. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that significant relief is unlikely in the immediate future.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, Kolkata is not expected to receive any major thunderstorms or widespread rainfall at present. Isolated light showers may occur in a few areas, but they are unlikely to bring any noticeable drop in temperature. No specific weather warnings have been issued for Howrah and Hooghly either.

However, several districts in South Bengal are likely to experience thunderstorms and rainfall from Friday. Weather alerts have been issued for West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia. Strong winds reaching 50–60 kmph are likely in East Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia on Friday.

In contrast, North Bengal is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall over the next few days, with continuous wet weather conditions likely to persist, the IMD said.

Meteorologists have reported the presence of multiple weather systems, including an east–west trough extending from Uttar Pradesh to Manipur, passing through Bihar, northern Gangetic West Bengal and North Bangladesh. Another active trough runs from eastern Uttar Pradesh to the southern Odisha coast via Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.

A cyclonic circulation over Gangetic West Bengal and Bangladesh has shifted towards southern Bangladesh, allowing significant moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal into the region. This has created favourable conditions for thunderstorms and rainfall across parts of North and South Bengal.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey