City temperature to fluctuate, MeT office yet to predict onset of winter

Kolkata: The city's temperature may drop by a few notches in the next couple of days as the South-West Monsoon is making a retreat. The weather office has, however, predicted scattered rainfall in all the North Bengal districts and some South Bengal districts as well in the next 24 hours.

With the temperature fluctuating during the transition period as the Monsoon has begun to withdraw, city-based doctors have issued warnings to people in Kolkata, particularly to children on how to stay fit. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore said all the North Bengal districts will receive the last spells of rains in the next 24 hours. The Western districts like East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia will also witness scattered rainfall.

The humidity level may continue to haunt people in some of the South Bengal districts particularly during the day time. The temperature may slightly drop in the evening hours. The MeT office is yet to predict when winter will officially set in.

Due to a sudden rise and fall in the temperature especially during the late evening hours, many, particularly children, have been affected with viral fever along with nausea and respiratory tract infections.

Dr Manjulika Banerjee, a child specialist, said the changing weather condition has an adverse effect on children during this season. Intermittent rains in some areas further complicate the situation. Many of them are found to be suffering from fever, cough and cold, throat infection and respiratory distress, while some others are affected with water-borne diseases. Some people are also getting skin-related diseases due to the fluctuating humidity level. Children are visiting various clinics with fungal infections as well. It is desirable that the children should be served boiled drinking water to avoid any infection.