Kolkata to face bone-chilling cold for 4 more days, temperature to drop below 9°C: MeT

Kolkata and the surrounding districts of South Bengal are currently in the grip of a severe cold spell, with the Alipore Met Office predicting no immediate relief. On Tuesday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2°C, which is nearly 4 degrees below the seasonal normal. The maximum temperature also plummeted to 18.4°C, marking a significant deviation of 6.7 degrees from the average, causing "cold day" conditions across the metropolitan area.

The weather department has officially hinted at a cold wave hitting several districts. A cold wave is declared when the minimum temperature drops below 10°C, and the maximum stays at least 4.5°C below normal. According to the latest forecast, Birbhum and Purba Bardhaman are expected to experience these extreme conditions through Wednesday and Thursday, potentially continuing into Friday. The mercury in Kolkata is likely to touch the 9°C mark during this period.

In North Bengal, the situation remains equally grim. Districts like Cooch Behar, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri are under a "cold day" alert for the next 48 hours. Thick morning fog has severely impacted visibility, leading to a yellow alert for commuters. Similar fog conditions are predicted for South Bengal districts, including Hooghly, Nadia, and Birbhum, ensuring that the bitingly cold atmosphere remains unchanged until at least January 12.

Meteorologists suggest that while the bone-chilling cold will dominate the work week, the situation may begin to normalize starting Saturday. Until then, the flow of icy north-westerly winds will keep the state shivering. Residents have been advised to take necessary precautions against the plummeting temperatures, especially during the late-night and early-morning hours when the chill is at its peak.