Kolkata Endures Scorching Heat and Humidity with No Immediate Relief in Sight
The city of Kolkata experienced another day of intense heat and oppressive humidity on Sunday, as westerly and northwesterly winds swept across the region. Despite a slight dip in the maximum temperature to 33.8°C, the conditions remained uncomfortably hot, with the Met office issuing a warning that this pattern is set to persist for at least the next five days across most of south Bengal, including Kolkata.
Temperature Trends and Real Feel Impact
On Sunday, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 28°C, contributing to the overall muggy atmosphere. However, the most striking figure came from private weather forecasting services, which reported that the real feel temperature—how the heat actually feels on human skin—soared to a staggering 40°C during the afternoon hours. This highlights the severe impact of high humidity levels, making the weather feel significantly hotter than the recorded air temperature.
Thunderstorm Activity and Meteorological Insights
While some relief was observed in the western districts of Purulia, Jhargram, and Bankura, where thunderstorms provided temporary respite, south Bengal and Kolkata largely missed out on such weather events. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) explained that local clouds managed to pull the maximum temperature down marginally, but these were insufficient to trigger widespread thunderstorms or rainfall.
Sourish Bandopadhyay, a weather scientist at the RMC, provided further clarity: "These isolated thunderstorms are not enough to bring substantial relief. We anticipate more intense thunderstorm activity in the western districts by April 25, but it remains uncertain whether south Bengal or Kolkata will experience similar conditions."
Forecast and Public Advisory
The Met office has emphasized that barring isolated and localized thunderstorms, there will be no significant relief from the warm and humid conditions in the coming days. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding direct sun exposure during peak hours, and using cooling measures to mitigate the effects of the heatwave.
This extended period of high temperatures and humidity underscores the challenges posed by seasonal weather patterns in the region, with authorities monitoring the situation closely for any changes that might bring relief to the beleaguered populace.
