Kolkata, 25 May (H.S.): India Meteorological Department has forecast relief from the prevailing heat and humidity in south Bengal, with thunderstorms and rain likely in Kolkata and adjoining districts later this week.

According to Alipore Meteorological Department, Kolkata and Howrah may witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph on Thursday and Friday. Hooghly and North 24 Parganas are likely to experience rain and thunderstorms from Wednesday itself, with wind speeds possibly touching 50-60 kmph on Thursday.

No major weather warning has been issued for Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly or North 24 Parganas after Friday. However, South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may continue to receive rainfall till Sunday.

Several districts of south Bengal, including West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia, are also likely to witness thunderstorms, lightning and rainfall during the week. The Met office has issued warnings of gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph in these districts. Rainfall activity may continue intermittently till Sunday, although discomfort due to humidity is expected to persist in the western districts.

The weather office said there is little possibility of any major temperature change in south Bengal over the next three days. However, temperatures may fall by two to three degrees during the following three days.

On Monday morning, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 30 degrees Celsius, which was 3.1 degrees above normal, while Sunday’s maximum temperature stood at 35.4 degrees Celsius, considered normal for this time of the year.

North Bengal is also expected to receive widespread rainfall till Thursday. Districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar may experience heavy rainfall at isolated places along with gusty winds of 40-50 kmph. Temperatures in north Bengal are also likely to decline noticeably.

Meteorologists said a cyclonic circulation persists over south Bihar and adjoining areas at an altitude of 0.9 km above sea level. In addition, a trough line extends from Bihar to coastal Andhra Pradesh across Jharkhand and Odisha. Due to this system, large amounts of moisture are entering the region from the Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for thunderstorms and rainfall across both north and south Bengal. However, the increased moisture has also intensified discomfort due to humidity.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey