The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore has forecasted Nor’wester storms over Kolkata and south Bengal districts, offering relief from the intense heat in West Bengal. Thunderstorms with lightning and rain, locally termed ‘Kal baisakhi,’ are expected with scattered rains across all West Bengal districts, including Kolkata. Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts have been issued a yellow alert due to the likelihood of moderate rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 km per hour.
The Meteorological Office anticipates scattered thunderstorms in Kolkata and has issued an orange alert for six south Bengal districts, namely North 24 Parganas, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Nadia, and Birbhum. Thunderstorm possibilities are projected to persist beyond Thursday and Friday, with Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, and Murshidabad having higher chances. Light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds at 40 to 50 km per hour are expected, with additional light rain in Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia districts over the weekend.
A slight decrease in temperature is expected on Friday due to thunderstorms, followed by a rise on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures may reach 36 degrees Celsius in Kolkata and 40 degrees Celsius in western districts during the day. In north Bengal, rain will persist in five districts, with Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri having a high probability of thunderstorms. Light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour are likely in all north Bengal districts, with scattered thunderstorms also possible in Malda, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur.
