Kolkata, Sep 17 (IANS) After days of sweltering heat, weather conditions in south Bengal are likely to change as the Met office on Thursday forecast thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate rain over the next few days.
Rain is likely at one or two places in almost all districts of south Bengal. Gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 km per hour are also expected. Kolkata, too, is likely to receive rain and thundershowers.
According to a Met department official, the monsoon axis extends from a low-pressure area over Rajasthan to the northwest Bay of Bengal through Ranchi and Digha.
In addition, a cyclonic circulation is currently present over the northwest Bay of Bengal. The system is expected to gradually strengthen and influence the West Bengal and Odisha coasts. As a result, south Bengal is likely to witness another spell of heavy rain from Thursday, which may continue for the next five days.
A yellow warning for rain and thunderstorms has been issued for eight districts, including coastal and western areas. Thunderstorms are likely in Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Howrah, North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas. However, the intensity of rainfall is expected to decrease from Monday.
Meanwhile, rainfall is likely to increase in north Bengal on Thursday. A yellow warning for heavy rain has been issued for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts. Light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour is likely across the region.
Rainfall activity in north Bengal is expected to decrease from Friday.
Kolkata is likely to see cloudy skies from Thursday afternoon, with the possibility of rain increasing during the day. Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is expected to continue until Saturday. Gusty winds reaching 30 to 40km per hour are also likely.
On Wednesday, Kolkata and adjoining areas recorded a maximum temperature of 34.08 degrees Celsius, two degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 27.06 degrees Celsius, 1.02 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 52 and 97 percent.
–IANS
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