Kolkata recorded its coldest day of the season on Wednesday, with the mercury plunging to 11 degrees Celsius. This is a significant milestone for the city, as the temperature has hit the 11-degree mark for the first time since 2021. The sudden dip in temperature, accompanied by a thick blanket of fog, has left residents shivering as the year comes to a close. Visibility on the roads remained extremely low during the early hours, causing difficulties for commuters and public transport.
The weather department confirmed that while the city hovered around 12-13 degrees over the past few days, the fresh surge of cold winds from the North-West has finally broken previous records. In the districts, the chill is even more intense, with temperatures in North Bengal districts dropping below 10 degrees. Darjeeling is currently experiencing a biting cold, with temperatures lingering around 5 degrees Celsius, attracting winter tourists even as local life remains partially stalled by the frost.
According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the current weather pattern is influenced by a new Western Disturbance in North-West India and a cyclonic circulation over Kerala. This dual atmospheric phenomenon is expected to keep the northern states under a severe cold wave. For South Bengal, heavy fog is predicted to persist until late morning in most districts. While western districts like Purulia and Bankura might see temperatures between 9 to 10 degrees, coastal areas will remain slightly warmer, ranging between 13 to 16 degrees.
The "winter-loving" Kolkatans are making the most of this chill, flocking to popular spots like Victoria Memorial and Alipore Zoo, though the dense fog remains a concern for safety. Meteorologists suggest that this cold spell might continue into the first week of the New Year.