Mercury to climb soon in city

Due to the uninterrupted flow of the frosty and dry north westerly winds, the winter lasted for too long in the city and districts. The cold wave swept through the North Bengal districts and many of the South Bengal districts.

People in the city were no exception as they felt a bone numbing chill this season with the temperature almost touching to 10 degree Celsius.

Due to the Western disturbances, there was a little delay for the winter to set in this year. Western disturbances interrupted the flow of the north westerly that brings cold wave into the city. Despite setting in late, the winter batted long innings with the temperature going below 10 degree Celsius in many of the South Bengal districts.

With the north-westerly wind flowing unabated, biting cold conditions continued to affect life in West Bengal for a long time this year.

In the districts like East and West Burdwan, Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, East and West Midnapore the temperature had dropped to 6-8 degree Celsius.

According to an official of the regional metereological centre, the cold wave had lasted seven days in January 2011. It had prevailed in most parts of the state for five days in January 2008 also. After a long time, Bengal was hit by a cold wave that continued for more than eight days at a stretch. The temperature remained below 12 degree Celsius in the city for one week.

"The current cold spell is going to stay in the city for a couple of days. The temperature is expected to go up by a few notches by the next week. Weather experts also said the North wind may stop blowing from the next week paving way for the temperature to climb up," an official of the weather office said. According to the weather office prediction, the temperature will slightly drop during night but it would hardly have any impact on normal lives of people from the next week.

Due to a low pressure trough situated in Bangladesh, some parts of the state will witness fog.