Western districts of Bengal to face intense heat spell for two days

Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre on Monday sounded heat wave alert for the Western districts of the state for the next couple of days.

Apart from the Western districts, hot and humid conditions will prevail in various South Bengal districts as the mercury is set to rise in the coming days.

Scattered rainfall is likely in some parts of South Bengal but such drizzles will not bring any considerable respite from the heat. Districts such as Nadia, Murshidabad, North 24-Parganas, Hooghly and Howrah will witness high temperature. High humidity along with heat will add to the discomfort in the weather.

The temperature in the Western districts is likely to hover around 35 to 37 degree Celsius in the next 48 hours. RealFeel, which is a measure of the effect of the weather on the human skin, may be slightly higher due to high-level of humidity in the air. According to a senior official of the MeT office, the humidity may shoot up further in all the South Bengal districts. A heat wave situation will prevail in the Western districts such as Purulia, Bankura, Birbhum, West Burdwan, East Burdwan, West Midanpore, Jhargram and East Midnapore. The temperature in these districts may touch 42 degree Celsius.

"A high-humidity level coupled with soaring temperature will affect the lives of residents in South Bengal districts. However, there will be a drop in the temperature during night in the city. There is a possibility of occasional thundershower in the next few days in North Bengal districts," a weather official said.

The official further said: "There will be an intense heat spell in all the Western districts for at least two days. The situation is likely to improve during the weekend. There is a possibility of scattered rainfall in some parts of South Bengal during the evening. However, the rain will not continue for a long time."

Many of the roadside eateries in Esplanade downed their shutters on Monday afternoon due to the scorching heat. People stood in queues to have Lassi and fruit juices to keep themselves hydrated.

Swapan Mondal, who runs a roadside food stall in Esplanade, said: "I decided to close the stall on Sunday due to the elections. But unlike other vendors I decided to open the stall on Monday braving the heat because I need to provide for my family and can't afford to remain shut for two days," Mondal said.