Kolkata Experiences Sharp Temperature Drop Following Midnight Thunderstorm
A powerful thunderstorm struck Kolkata and its neighboring districts late Friday night, causing a significant drop in temperatures and widespread disruption. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) reported that the minimum temperature in Kolkata plummeted by five degrees to 20.2°C on Saturday, with the maximum temperature recorded at 31.2°C, which is 3.5°C below the normal range for this time of year.
Storm Details and Immediate Impact
The midnight storm was characterized by intense wind speeds ranging from 60 to 70 km per hour, leading to the uprooting of approximately 25 fully grown trees across various parts of the city. Affected areas included Tollygunge, Jadavpur, Southern Avenue, Ballygunge, Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park, Golf Green, Anwar Shah Road, Mudiali, New Alipore, Patuli, Anandapur, and Mukundapur, spanning three boroughs in south and south-east Kolkata.
In addition to the midnight event, a squall hit North 24 Parganas on Saturday morning with maximum wind speeds of 61 km per hour, followed by another thunderstorm in parts of the same district in the evening. These weather incidents have heightened concerns about safety and infrastructure damage in the region.
Meteorological Conditions and Forecast
According to the RMC bulletin issued on Saturday, the upper air circulation that was over south Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh has now shifted to north Bengal, situated at 0.9 km above mean sea level. A trough in westerlies between 3.1 and 9.4 km above sea level, along with a wind discontinuity from Gangetic Bengal to Tamil Nadu, is contributing to the unstable weather patterns.
Deputy Director General of Meteorology HR Biswas stated, "In the presence of favourable wind patterns and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, enhanced thunderstorm activity is likely over the districts of Bengal on March 28 and 31." The Met office predicts that while temperatures may rise marginally on Sunday, conditions remain conducive for thunderstorms across both south and north Bengal.
Kolkata is expected to remain relatively dry over the next two days, with only sporadic localized thunderstorms. However, by March 31, the likelihood of thundershowers will increase significantly across the districts. The city has already experienced around six thunderstorms this month, exceeding the normal count of four, and at least one more is anticipated in the coming 24 hours.
Recent Weather Events and Broader Implications
This recent storm follows a severe thunderstorm on Thursday that affected North 24 Parganas and the northern fringes of Kolkata, with wind speeds of 40-50 km per hour. The adverse weather conditions even disrupted air travel, forcing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's aircraft to hover in the sky due to unsafe landing conditions at Dum Dum airport. Salt Lake also reported a hailstorm during this period.
The ongoing thunderstorm activity is part of a broader pattern of increased weather volatility in the region. Residents are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions as the Met office continues to monitor the situation closely. The forecast underscores the importance of preparedness for such extreme weather events, which can impact daily life and infrastructure.
