Mercury set to rise further, no rainfall in sight

Kolkata: The Alipore weather office on Monday predicted further rise in temperature coupled with high humidity resulting in discomfort throughout South Bengal, including Kolkata in the next 72 hours with no forecast of rainfall.

Six districts in the state — Bankura, Birbhum, West Burdwan, Purulia, Jhargram, and West Midnapore will experience heat wave and temperature is likely to shoot up to around 40 degree Celsius.

"There are no signs of a depression forming at the Bay of Bengal at present, which clearly indicates that monsoon will be delayed in the state," said a senior official of the Alipore Met office. Temperature in the city that was 36.6 degree Celsius on Monday will rise further in the next three days and hover around 37 and 38 degree Celsius.

However, since the discomfort index will be high it will feel like more than 40 degree Celsius. "There is minimum chance of rainfall in the city in the next three days," he added.

Coastal districts in the state that includes Kolkata, South 24-Parganas, North 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Nadia, East Burdwan and East Midnapore will experience heat and high level discomfort.

It may be mentioned that monsoon's arrival in North Bengal will also be delayed though there are chances of light and medium rainfall in these districts.

According to the forecast of the weather office, a depression has been formed on the Arabian Sea and this is likely to make northerly movement causing rainfall in the northern states. "As per the current weather forecast, there is hardly any favourable situation for entry of monsoon in the city and its adjoining districts at least in a week," the official said.

The monsoon arrived in the city on June 11 in 2018 and on June 12 in North Bengal. Monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 29 in 2018.

The weather trend for the last three years shows that monsoon enters the state around 10-12 days after its foray in Kerala. The monsoon arrived in Kerala on June 8 this year which is a clear indication that there will be delayed monsoon this time.