Kolkata, 08 January (H.S.):

Cold conditions continue to intensify across West Bengal, with people from north to south battling biting winter temperatures. Kolkata is also experiencing severe cold, with the minimum temperature hovering close to 10°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its official bulletin on Thursday morning, said there is no immediate relief in sight and warned of cold wave conditions in several districts.

According to the IMD, light to moderate fog is likely during the morning hours over the next 24 hours, while skies are expected to remain mainly clear after noon.

In Kolkata, the maximum temperature is likely to be around 22°C, which is about 2.7 degrees below normal. The minimum temperature is expected to be near 11.6°C, around 2.3 degrees below the seasonal average.

Maximum relative humidity may reach as high as 99 per cent, while minimum humidity is likely to be around 53 per cent. No rainfall was recorded in the city during the past 24 hours.

The weather office said the cold spell is unlikely to ease in the coming days, with temperatures expected to drop by another three to four degrees Celsius. An active weather system over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify over the next 24 hours.

In addition, a cyclonic circulation over areas adjoining Tripura is influencing the weather pattern. Due to these systems, cold northerly and north-westerly winds are sweeping across West Bengal, leading to a further drop in temperatures.

Cold Wave and Fog Across Districts

As per the forecast, temperatures across most parts of the state may remain two to four degrees below normal over the next four days. In south Bengal, daytime temperatures are likely to stay three to five degrees below normal for the next three days.

In north Bengal, maximum temperatures may fall by four to six degrees Celsius, indicating persistent cold conditions across both regions.

Dense fog is also expected to continue in Kolkata and several districts. Cold day and cold wave warnings have been issued for Birbhum and Purba Bardhaman. Dense fog is likely over Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum and North 24 Parganas, while all districts of north Bengal are expected to remain under the grip of intense cold.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh