Kolkata is bracing for an extended period of scorching heat, with temperatures expected to remain above 40°C for at least the next two days. This April has already witnessed the highest number of heatwave days in the 21st century, with Sunday marking the seventh day of temperatures surpassing 40°C since the heatwave began on April 19.
Comparing historical data, April 2009 and April 2016 each had eight days with temperatures exceeding 40°C. However, Kolkata has already experienced seven such days this April, with no relief in sight till at least May 2, as per forecasts from the Meteorological Office. Additionally, there’s no indication of rainfall in the city until at least May 5.
Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) head Somenath Dutta mentioned a slim chance of thunderstorms between May 5 and 6. This potential rainfall could break the city’s streak of 15 consecutive heatwave days. Dutta attributed the possibility of thunderstorms to an observed anticlockwise turn in southerly winds in the Bay of Bengal, which may bring down the temperatures significantly.
Despite this, Kolkata has already witnessed record-breaking temperatures this April, with last Thursday recording a maximum of 41.6°C, the highest in 44 years. The mercury has crossed 41°C only seven times in recent years, notably in 2009, 2014, 2016, and 2023. Dutta noted a recent influx of cool southerly winds, which has somewhat curbed further temperature rises, but a significant decrease isn’t expected in the next few days.
Monday’s forecast indicates sunny weather with partial cloud cover in the afternoon, with temperatures hovering around 41°C for the maximum and 29°C for the minimum.
