Another 'cold-day' for Kolkata as mercury drops below 10°C, visibility reduces to 50 meters

West Bengal is currently reeling under a severe cold spell and a thick blanket of fog that has disrupted daily life from the hills to the plains. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, the steady influx of icy northerly winds has kept the mercury hovering around 10°C in Kolkata, while Dumdum and nearby suburbs have seen temperatures drop as low as 9.8°C. The weather office has issued a state-wide 'Cold Day' warning, predicting that these bone-chilling conditions will persist until the end of the weekend, with a slight possibility of change only from Saturday.

In a rare climatic turn, the district of Birbhum has surpassed the hill stations in its chill. Sriniketan recorded a minimum temperature of 6.6°C today, making it significantly colder than Kalimpong, where the temperature remained above 6°C. The western districts are also facing the brunt of the winter storm, with Bankura recording a low of 8.3°C. The severe drop in temperature combined with heavy fog has left residents "practically frozen," significantly impacting morning routines and local businesses.

The transportation sector has been the hardest hit by the dense fog. Visibility at Kolkata International Airport dropped to a mere 50 meters by 8:00 AM today. Authorities are relying on advanced 'CAT III' lighting technology and mechanical assistance to manage aircraft take-offs, though flight schedules remain vulnerable to delays. On the highways, particularly in North Bengal’s Dooars and Dhupguri, drivers were seen navigating with headlights on during the day as a thick blanket of fog covered the tea garden belts and Bhutan border regions.