Rain likely to bring respite for Kolkatans soon

Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore on Tuesday predicted rains and thunderstorm in both North and South Bengal districts in the next three days. Meanwhile, the city recorded its highest temperature of the season at 37.4 degree Celsius which is two degrees above normal.

The prediction comes as a respite to the people in South Bengal, who have been experiencing hot and humid condition for the past few days.

With the mercury almost touching 40 degree Celsius in some districts like Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram and West Midnapore, the people have been facing high discomfort levels.

According to a senior official at the weather office, it may rain in all the three constituency areas of Raigunj, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling, which will go to polls on April 18. There is a possibility of rains during the morning hours and hence the voters may get drenched if they step out of their houses without umbrellas.

Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, deputy director general of the Regional Meteorological Centre, said: "A strong Western disturbance has been located over Pakistan and it has already started moving towards the Eastern direction, bringing rain in North Indian states. It will move further towards the East and is expected to reach Jharkhand in the next 24 hours."

Bandyopadhyay also said that due to the impact of the Western disturbances, intermittent rain is expected in the state in the next 72 hours. Thunderstorm accompanied with rain is expected in the North Bengal districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Alipurduar, particularly in the morning hours.

In case of South Bengal districts, rain is expected along with gusty winds in the evening hours.

"A hailstorm is also expected in various districts of South Bengal on April 18. The mercury may slide down by a few notches in the Western districts like Bankura, Purulia and Jhargram during the day, bringing some relief to the people. The sky may remain cloudy in several parts of South Bengal on Wednesday afternoon," Bandyopadhyay added.

People in South Bengal experienced sultry and uncomfortable weather as the humidity level was around 90 percent on Tuesday. People will not get any relief from the humid condition until there is rain, the weather office said.