Kolkata Prepares for Sweltering Heat and Humidity Following Rain Break
Kolkata residents are bracing themselves for a significant shift in weather conditions, as hot and humid weather is poised to take over after a brief respite from rain. The mercury is expected to climb past the normal mark, accompanied by a rise in humidity levels, creating a potentially uncomfortable and oppressive environment across the city.
IMD Issues Special Bulletin for South Bengal Districts
A special bulletin from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings about similar conditions extending to other districts, including neighboring Howrah, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas. The bulletin states, "Mainly dry westerly to northwesterly wind likely to prevail at lower tropospheric levels over the region and consequently hot and humid conditions are very likely to occur over some districts of South Bengal from April 2 to April 4."
Temperature Fluctuations and Forecasted Surge
Recent weather patterns have shown notable fluctuations. On Tuesday, thundershowers and a partly cloudy sky pushed the maximum temperature down to 28.7 degrees Celsius, which was a substantial six notches below normal. However, by Wednesday, the temperature surged to 33.8 degrees Celsius, marking a rise of five notches from the previous day and coming in at 0.8 degrees lower than the normal mark. This rapid increase has already begun to make the heat more palpable for residents.
Meteorologist HR Biswas, head at the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, provided insights into the upcoming conditions. "We expect the maximum temperature in Kolkata to reach 36 degrees by Thursday and stay around this mark for the next three days. While the solar insulation will make it hot, the presence of adequate moisture at the ground level will push up the humidity level. Hence, we are entering a phase of hot and humid weather, making the discomfort level high."
Historical Context and Future Predictions
If the temperature hits the 36-degree mark, it will not only be the highest recorded this summer but also represent the first time the maximum temperature breaches the normal mark after a gap of 19 days. Looking back over the past decade and a half, the maximum temperature in April has crossed 40 degrees Celsius in four years, including consecutive Aprils in 2024 and 2023.
Despite the forecast for hot and humid days ahead, the Met office has allayed fears of heat wave-like conditions for now, as the maximum temperature is unlikely to touch the 40-degree mark in the immediate future. However, officials note that wind patterns are expected to change by Friday, with potential weather systems such as the passing of a western disturbance, formation of a trough, or anticyclonic circulation that could enhance the possibility of rain.
Short-Term Dry Spell and Long-Term Relief
Biswas added, "While we expect the city to remain dry till Saturday, even if there is localized thundershower, the chances are only about 10%. We are likely to encounter another thundershower spell from Sunday onwards. Once that happens, it will tame the heat and humidity again." This suggests that while discomfort may peak in the coming days, relief could be on the horizon with the return of rainfall.
