A shower in the afternoon brought respite to the people of Kolkata and lowered the temperature by five to six degrees.
North Kolkata received more rainfall than South and the southern suburbs. The rain started around 2.30 pm and continued for nearly half-an-hour, bringing down the temperature.
As a result of the afternoon shower, the evening became less sultry and more comfortable. Wednesday being Jamaisasthi, which is celebrated throughout the state, the state government had given a half holiday in its offices. When son-in-laws are treated either to lunch or dinners, a pleasant weather is always welcomed.
The thunderstorms witnessed in Kolkata in the last 48 hours indicate that monsoon is coming. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Kolkata said monsoon is likely to arrive in Kolkata at the end of the first week or the second week of June.
The weather in Kolkata was hot and uncomfortable in the past weeks as the maximum daytime temperature touched 42 degrees Celsius. But intermittent rain for the last couple of days gave the citizens the much-awaited respite from hot weather conditions.
"Kolkata has been experiencing scattered pre-monsoon rains and thundershowers for the last four days consecutively. As a result, daytime temperatures are now settling near normal but since these activities occur during the evening, the weather has remained warm and humid. However, we have to acknowledge that daytime weather is much better than earlier," said a meteorologist.
The rain in Kolkata for the last 48 hours was the result of a cyclone called 'Mora' which hit the coast of Bangladesh on Tuesday. "The city recorded only 2-3 mm rain or maybe less on Tuesday. Cyclone Mora was the reason for the rain. But the citizens do not have to panic about the aftereffects of the cyclone as it has already hit the coast of Bangladesh," the meteorologist added. However, due to the impact of this tropical storm, people expect good rainfall and thundershowers over Bengal, including Kolkata, for the next 36-48 hours. With this, a significant drop in daytime temperature is likely over Kolkata and the Northeastern states of India, said Skymet weather, a private forecaster.
"Light to moderate rainfall and thundershowers will continue over Gangetic West Bengal including Kolkata until June 2. The intensity of these rains will increase with time," the private forecaster added.
"These showers will also mark the onset of monsoon which is anticipated to arrive in Kolkata by June 10. Southwest Monsoon has already advanced into parts of Kerala and Northeast India on May 30," a meteorologist at Skymet weather further added.
Meanwhile the umbrella sellers in Kolkata are gearing up for the monsoon season. "Umbrellas of the summer and monsoon are different. We hope that this monsoon will also be a profitable season for us," said a roadside umbrella seller in Esplanade.