MeT issues warning of thunderstorms in Kolkata & other parts of South Bengal

The Alipore Meteorological Office has issued a fresh warning for thunderstorms in South Bengal, including Kolkata, beginning Thursday. The forecast includes thundershowers, lightning, and gusty winds across several districts, extending until Saturday.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore, weather systems are aligning to bring widespread instability across the region. The primary cause is an upper air cyclonic circulation stretching from Assam in the east to Rajasthan in the west, passing through Madhya Pradesh. This system is pulling in large volumes of moisture from the Bay of Bengal.

As a result, parts of South Bengal have already started witnessing sudden changes in weather. On Wednesday afternoon, scattered thundershowers brought temporary relief to residents reeling under scorching summer temperatures. The meteorological department also hinted at the possibility of hailstorms in isolated pockets. Strong surface winds may accompany the thunderstorms, which could potentially disrupt normal life, especially in low-lying and open areas.

Districts likely to be affected include Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, Murshidabad, South and North 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, and Kolkata. The MeT department has urged people to stay indoors during lightning and advised fishermen and farmers to take precautions.