Kolkata, 01 April (H.S.): Several districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, have been witnessing moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning since Monday night. The sky remained overcast through Tuesday, with light to moderate showers reported from multiple locations.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore in Kolkata, rainfall activity is likely to continue through Wednesday. Rain has also been forecast across West Bengal. An Orange Alert has been issued for seven districts of South Bengal.

The Meteorological Department has warned that apart from rainfall, gusty winds with speeds ranging between 50 and 60 kmph may occur at isolated places. A Yellow Alert has been issued for Kolkata and other districts of South Bengal, where winds of 40 to 50 kmph are expected.

Heavy rainfall has been forecast for the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar. The rainy spell in South Bengal is likely to persist till Thursday, after which temperatures may rise by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius.

A Met department official said that an east–west trough currently extends from northeast Bihar to Manipur, passing through northern Bangladesh, Meghalaya, and southeast Assam. Another trough is also active from Bihar through Jharkhand to Gangetic West Bengal. Due to the inflow of moisture from the Bay of Bengal and favourable wind patterns, stormy weather accompanied by lightning is expected to intensify.

The maximum and minimum temperatures on Tuesday were expected to hover around 32 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Light rain began in Bankura district on Tuesday. Meanwhile, intermittent showers since Monday evening have helped bring down minimum temperatures slightly in several places.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh