Parts of Bengal braces for rain and storm as MeT issues Kalbaisakhi alert

The spell of Kalbaisakhi continues to impact West Bengal, with the state witnessing a string of evening thunderstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds over the past few days. The Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert for Friday, warning of severe weather conditions in multiple districts, including the possibility of hail and lightning.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), two weather systems are influencing the current pattern. One is a low-pressure line stretching from Assam to Madhya Pradesh, passing through Jharkhand and Bengal. The other is a trough extending from eastern Madhya Pradesh to Gangetic West Bengal via Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. These systems are fueling unstable atmospheric conditions, causing widespread unseasonal rain.

Heavy rainfall, ranging from 70 mm to 110 mm, is expected in East Burdwan, West Medinipur, and Hooghly districts. Kalbaisakhi-like conditions may also affect Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, South 24 Parganas, and East Burdwan. These areas may experience sharp showers, thunderstorms, and even hail in some pockets.

North Bengal will not remain untouched. The IMD has forecast strong winds and heavy rains in six districts of the region, from Darjeeling to Malda. In Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur, wind speeds may reach up to 40–50 km/h accompanied by thunderstorms. However, the impact in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar is expected to be comparatively milder.

The wet spell is likely to continue through Saturday and Sunday across most districts of North Bengal. The ongoing showers may offer temporary relief from rising temperatures, but the mercury is expected to climb once the weather clears. The skies may remain partly cloudy on Monday. From Tuesday onward, the weather is expected to clear up across Bengal, and daytime temperatures may rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, pushing the region back into a warmer climate zone.