City reels under hottest days of season, no respite in sight

Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore has issued heat wave alert in the Western districts for the next couple of days.

A senior official of the Met office said that the temperature in Western districts like Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Midnapore, Birbhum and West Burdwan may pulse between 41 and 44 degree Celsius in the next few days. The temperature feel would be sultrier than the actual temperature.

Various other South Bengal districts will continue to burn as the mercury is expected to soar past 40 degree Celsius. The districts like Nadia, Murshidabad, North 24-Parganas will also record alarming temperatures.

The people might feel soaked in and uncomfortable due to high levels of humidity, which will be present along with the scorching heat. The temperature in Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas may rise by 2-3 degree Celsius in the next 48 hours. The humidity level is expected to shoot up further in the next two days.

"There will be an intense spell of heat and humid condition in all the Western districts at least for two days. The situation is expected to improve from May 12 as a low pressure trough is likely to form. There is a possibility for thunderstorm in some South Bengal districts if the low pressure intensifies," said Deputy Director General of Alipore weather office Sanjib Bandyopadhyay.

In case of North Bengal districts, there is a possibility of thundershower in the next three days. The temperature at night will be higher than the normal days.

Due to the scorching heat, many roadside shop owners at Esplanade, Dalhousie and other areas decided to down shutters in the afternoon hours of Thursday. In various stretches of the city, the density of traffic was lesser than usual. Many people preferred to stay indoors in the afternoon to avoid the scorching sun.

Priyanka Maity, a college student who visited the College Street area on Thursday afternoon, said: "We are trying to stay indoors in the scorching heat. We are stepping out only when it is absolutely necessary." Many people were seen walking along the streets in Esplanade area with their faces covered with clothes and scarves.

Some youths were found standing in queues at Esplanade East to have Lassi and fruit juice to get some relief from the heat. The city's largest water park Aquatica recorded a huge footfall on Thursday morning, with many people indulging in various water activities.