Kolkata to experience showers and strong winds up to 60 km/h as 5 South Bengal districts face storm alert

The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for five districts in South Bengal—Birbhum, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, Jhargram, and West Medinipur—predicting thunderstorms, heavy rain, and winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour over the next 48 hours. The alert comes amid early southwest monsoon activity entering the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and active cyclonic systems in Northeast India.

On Thursday, these districts are expected to experience strong winds accompanied by lightning and rainfall. There is also a possibility of hailstorms in some areas within these districts. The weather department has specifically highlighted the risk of gusty winds and sudden rainfall that could impact normal activities in these regions.

In Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal, temperatures will remain high with persistent heat and humidity. Light to moderate rain with occasional storms is expected in several areas, but no significant drop in temperature is forecasted in the immediate term. On Thursday, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 29.6 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 35.3 degrees Celsius, which is close to the seasonal average.

North Bengal districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and North Dinajpur are forecast to receive heavy rainfall until Saturday. Winds in these districts may blow at speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. Malda and South Dinajpur are expected to experience lighter rainfall during the same period.

The weather department stated that rainfall and strong winds may continue across most districts of South Bengal until Sunday. Heatwave conditions are likely to persist in Birbhum, Purulia, West Medinipur, Jhargram, and Bardhaman districts. A heat warning has also been issued for some parts of Birbhum due to rising temperatures and dry conditions.