Kolkata reels under intense heat and humidity, heavy rain forecast issued for North Bengal

Kolkata and several districts of South Bengal continued to experience intense heat and humidity at the beginning of the Bengali month of Jyeshtha, with weather officials issuing heatwave warnings for western Rarh Bengal districts including Bankura and Purulia. According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, maximum temperatures in parts of western Bengal may cross 40 degrees Celsius, while the “feels like” temperature in Kolkata is expected to remain above 40 degrees Celsius due to high moisture levels in the air.

Weather conditions remained uncomfortable across South Bengal as the maximum temperature in Kolkata hovered between 36 and 37 degrees Celsius over recent days. Similar conditions prevailed in districts including Birbhum, Purulia, Bankura and West Midnapore, where temperatures remained close to 40 degrees Celsius. The weather office stated that high humidity levels were increasing discomfort and excessive sweating across the region.

According to the Meteorological Department, these conditions are likely to continue in Kolkata and South Bengal over the next few days. However, thunderstorms and rainfall are expected within the next 48 hours in districts including Bankura, East Bardhaman, West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Nadia and Hooghly. The weather office also indicated a possibility of storms and rain in areas adjoining Kolkata as local cloud formation increased due to intense heat.

North Bengal also recorded warm weather conditions, although the Meteorological Department issued forecasts for thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across several districts from Thursday to Monday. Heavy rainfall warnings were issued for Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts, while scattered heavy rainfall was forecast in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar districts during the period.

The southwest monsoon has already advanced into the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands and most parts of the Andaman Sea, according to the Meteorological Department. Officials stated that the monsoon is expected to reach Kerala by May 26 before gradually advancing across mainland India, including eastern regions in the coming phase of the seasonal progression.