Kolkata witnessed a significant drop in temperature on Friday as an intense spell of rain, accompanied by lightning, thunder, and gusty winds, pushed the mercury to its lowest level in more than three weeks. The maximum temperature plummeted to 32.1 degrees Celsius from 36.8 degrees the previous day, while the minimum temperature nosedived to 23.2 degrees from 29.8 degrees.
Heavy Thundershowers Bring Relief
Thunderclaps woke many residents early Friday morning as the city was lashed by a powerful thundershower. Within approximately an hour, Kolkata recorded about 23 mm of rain. The combination of rain and strong winds ensured a substantial decline in temperatures. The minimum temperature dipped four notches below normal, marking the lowest since May 10, while the maximum temperature fell 3.1 notches below normal, the lowest since May 7.
Forecast for Continued Rainfall
Meteorologist H.R. Biswas, head of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, stated, "There is a possibility of more rain at least until Saturday, though the intensity and spread may be lighter than Friday morning's spell. With the mercury likely to remain below normal for now, we can expect the heat and humidity to be tolerable."
While Kolkata received 22 mm of rain, mostly within two hours, neighboring areas experienced heavier downpours. Dum Dum recorded 60 mm of rainfall, and Salt Lake received 41 mm. This rain comes six days after a powerful nor'wester squall lashed the city, bringing over 40 mm of rain. That earlier spell had temporarily checked the rising heat and humidity, but temperatures and moisture levels soon rose again, culminating in a maximum of 37 degrees Celsius on Wednesday—the highest this summer.
Meteorological Factors
The Met office attributed the ongoing rain to dual weather systems—one over East Uttar Pradesh and another over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and adjoining Bihar—combined with favorable wind patterns and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal. Biswas added, "The southwest monsoon is also expected to hit north Bengal after covering northeastern states in the next two to three days."
Residents can expect continued relief from the heat, with more rain likely in the coming days.
