Kolkata Battles Fourth Nor'wester Storm This Month, More Weather Activity Expected
The city of Kolkata was struck by another intense nor'wester on Monday night, marking the fourth such severe weather event to hit the region this month alone. The storm unleashed a powerful combination of heavy rainfall, frequent lightning strikes, and strong gusty winds, disrupting normal life and raising concerns among residents.
Met Office Issues Warning for Continued Thundershower Activity
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, there is a significant possibility of more thundershower activities affecting Kolkata on Tuesday. Met officials have not ruled out additional storms, urging citizens to remain cautious and stay updated with weather advisories.
Earlier on Monday, H R Biswas, a senior met scientist and head at the Regional Meteorological Centre Kolkata, provided insights into the expected weather patterns. "The rain spell is likely to be moderate, accompanied by lightning and gusty wind," Biswas stated, highlighting the typical characteristics of these nor'wester systems.
Temperature Drop and Weather Systems Behind the Storms
The late-evening rainfall on Monday brought a noticeable drop in temperatures, with the mercury falling by two degrees Celsius. Met officials predict that temperatures could decrease further as the storm activity persists. On Monday, the maximum temperature recorded was 32.5 degrees Celsius, which is 2.2 notches below the normal average for this time of year. The minimum temperature settled at 26.3 degrees Celsius.
Weather experts explain that a combination of multiple atmospheric systems is responsible for triggering these frequent thundershowers. These systems include an east-west trough extending from northeast Bihar to Manipur across North Bangladesh, Meghalaya, and southeast Assam, as well as another trough running from Bihar to Gangetic Bengal across Jharkhand. Additionally, a favourable wind pattern and moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal are contributing factors to the ongoing weather changes.
Forecast: Dry Conditions and Rising Temperatures Ahead
Looking ahead, the weather forecast indicates a shift in conditions starting from Wednesday. The city is expected to experience dry weather, with no further rainfall predicted. Alongside this, temperatures are anticipated to rise gradually, returning to more typical levels for the season.
Residents are advised to take necessary precautions during the stormy period, such as avoiding outdoor activities during lightning and securing loose objects that could be affected by strong winds. The Met office continues to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as needed.
