kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, March 21: The spell of relentless overnight rain accompanied by strong gusty winds brought a noticeable chill to Kolkata, as the city woke up to cloudy skies and steady drizzles on Saturday morning. The rain, which began late on Friday night, continued into the early hours of the day, leaving large parts of the city drenched and significantly bringing down the temperature.

The impact of the weather system was not limited to Kolkata alone. Several districts across South Bengal experienced similar conditions, with persistent rainfall and gusty winds disrupting normal life. Meanwhile, authorities have issued warnings for North Bengal, where heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected over the next couple of days. Coastal conditions are also likely to remain rough, with the sea expected to stay turbulent during this period.

The India Meteorological Department had earlier forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and wind speeds ranging between 50 to 60 km per hour for Kolkata on Friday. Although the city and its adjoining areas saw limited rainfall until the evening, strong winds and dense cloud cover had already set the stage for a dramatic change in weather. As the night progressed, rain intensified, with several parts of the city witnessing heavy downpours after midnight, along with lightning and squally winds.

The sudden change in weather led to a sharp drop in temperature, offering residents a brief respite from the recent warmth. The minimum temperature in Kolkata, which stood at 25 degrees Celsius on Friday morning, fell drastically to 19.2 degrees Celsius on Saturday, marking a drop of nearly six degrees and placing it 4.4 degrees below normal. According to the Alipore weather office, while the temperature is expected to remain low for the next couple of days, it may rise again by three to five degrees thereafter.

Forecasts suggest that unsettled weather conditions will persist across both South and North Bengal until Sunday. The possibility of Kalbaisakhi-like conditions looms large, with thunderstorms, lightning, and even hailstorms predicted in several districts. Weather officials have cautioned that the intensity of storms may increase during the afternoon and evening hours, with wind speeds potentially reaching 60 to 70 km per hour in certain areas.

North Bengal, the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall could significantly affect daily life, raising concerns over waterlogging and transportation disruptions. However, there is a ray of relief ahead, as weather experts indicate that conditions are expected to gradually improve from Monday, with rainfall activity decreasing and skies beginning to clear across the region.