Heavy rains, Kalbaisakhi to lash Bengal; Storms, hail, and coastal warning issued

The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued a Kalbaisakhi warning for multiple districts in Bengal, forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hailstorms over the next three days. On Friday, East & West Midnapore and Jhargram are likely to experience intense rainfall, while Bankura, Purulia, Howrah, Hooghly, and East Burdwan may see thunderstorms with 50-60 km/h winds and hailstorms. Kolkata and the rest of South Bengal are expected to have light to moderate rain with winds at 40-50 km/h.

Saturday’s forecast remains severe, with Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia, and East Burdwan expected to witness thunderstorms, hail, and 50-60 km/h gusty winds. North & South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may experience light to moderate thunderstorms with winds reaching 50 km/h. Kolkata and nearby districts are expected to see stormy conditions with 30-40 km/h winds. In North Bengal, Malda, South Dinajpur, Kalimpong, and Alipurduar are likely to face hailstorms and strong winds up to 50 km/h, while other districts in the region may experience 40-50 km/h gusty winds with thunderstorms.

With the IPL 2024 opener scheduled at Eden Gardens on Saturday evening, the forecast indicates possible thunderstorms and light gusty winds, which could impact the event. No official advisory has been issued regarding any potential disruptions. Meanwhile, the coastal regions of Bengal are expected to see 50-60 km/h gusty winds, leading to rough sea conditions. Authorities have advised fishermen against venturing into the sea due to the hazardous weather conditions.

By Sunday, Kalbaisakhi activity is expected to decrease, but scattered thunderstorms and mild gusty winds may continue in some areas. East Midnapore and South 24 Parganas may still experience light storms on Monday. The temperature across South Bengal is expected to drop by 5-6°C, while North Bengal may see a 5°C dip before a gradual rise of 4-5°C next week, leading to dry conditions.

The meteorological department has indicated that by Monday, the impact of Kalbaisakhi will reduce significantly, and the weather is expected to stabilize. However, residents in affected areas are advised to stay updated on weather conditions. The next few days remain crucial for several districts, with thunderstorms, hailstorms, and gusty winds expected to impact daily activities.