Thunderstorm and rain hits Kolkata and suburbs, uproot several trees and poles

On Monday evening, a severe thunderstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong winds struck Kolkata, Howrah, and Bidhannagar areas, leading to widespread waterlogging in multiple locations. The sudden change in weather brought much-needed relief from the scorching heat and left a destructive trail.

Several trees were uprooted, and electric poles and street lights were damaged across the city. In Salt Lake, near Cap Island, a large tree crashed onto two moving cars, crushing them completely. While no casualties have been reported so far, officials say the incident could have been more dangerous had the cars been fully occupied.

In Howrah, near the Liluah Railway Station, another massive tree fell, blocking the road entirely. A nearby streetlight pole also bent under the pressure of the storm. Emergency crews were rushed to the sites to clear the debris and restore mobility in affected zones.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Kolkata has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in the coming days due to a significant weather system developing over the Bay of Bengal. According to meteorologists, a low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central Bay, which could bring widespread rain and thunderstorms across eastern India.

Though current forecasts offer hope of respite from the heat, the RMC has simultaneously issued a ‘yellow’ alert for hot days in Kolkata. The period from May 16 to May 22 has been marked as critical, as past weather systems during this time frame have intensified into cyclones. Authorities are closely monitoring the system’s development.

Residents have been advised to stay indoors during storms, avoid parking vehicles under trees, and follow official updates. The weather system, if it does not intensify dangerously, could still bring a drop in temperature by 2–4°C, providing a short relief from the oppressive summer currently gripping the region.