Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: After enduring a severe heatwave for several days, West Bengal is soon set to experience some relief. There is a possibility of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms across various parts of the state. Although heatwave-like conditions prevailed in the western districts of South Bengal earlier this week, the Meteorological Department has now forecast a change in weather patterns. On April 26, hot and humid weather is likely to persist in districts such as Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Medinipur, and West Bardhaman.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a favorable environment for rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms has developed in West Bengal due to the influence of an upper-air cyclonic circulation over East Bihar, a significant influx of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, and the subtropical westerly jet stream. Day temperatures are expected to remain largely unchanged over the next two days. In some parts of South Bengal, temperatures may remain 2–4 degrees Celsius above normal. Subsequently, the IMD has forecast that temperatures across all districts of the state will gradually decrease by 3–4 degrees Celsius over the next five days. Meanwhile, the districts of Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly are initially likely to experience light rain or showers accompanied by thunderstorms; this precipitation may intensify into light to moderate rainfall between April 29 and 30. Throughout the week, intermittent rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30–50 kilometers per hour is possible. In districts including North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas, rainfall activity is expected to increase significantly starting April 26. In isolated areas, gusty winds accompanying thunderstorms could reach speeds of up to 50–60 kilometers per hour. In the western districts—including Purulia, Bankura, and Jhargram—hot and humid weather, along with temperatures remaining 3–4 degrees Celsius above normal, is likely to persist initially. Subsequently, as rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms begins, the weather is expected to gradually bring some relief. Similarly, the districts of East and West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia face a likelihood of frequent rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, a phenomenon that may intensify and become more widespread by the middle of the week. In certain areas, wind speeds could reach up to 50–60 kilometers per hour. Rainfall is also expected to increase in the coastal districts, including East Medinipur. These districts may experience gusty winds blowing at speeds of 30–50 kilometers per hour. The districts of North Bengal are under a forecast for a prolonged period of rainy weather. Across most parts of this region—including the districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar—there is a possibility of light to moderate rainfall, or rain accompanied by thunderstorms, throughout the entire week. The entire region faces a risk of thunderstorms involving lightning and gusty winds; while initial wind speeds may reach 50–60 kilometers per hour, they are subsequently expected to subside to 30–40 kilometers per hour. The plains districts of North Bengal—specifically North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda—may also experience frequent rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms during this period. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning for fishermen. The advisory states that between April 26 and 29, squally winds blowing at speeds of 40–50 kilometers per hour—with gusts potentially reaching up to 60 kilometers per hour—may prevail along the coasts of West Bengal and North Odisha, as well as in the adjacent sea areas. Consequently, fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea during this period.