After election heat, Bengal braces for thunderstorms, rain across all districts

Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 50 to 60 kmph are likely in south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur, till May 3, the IMD said. Heavy rainfall is likely in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar till May 3, it added.

As the West Bengal Assembly polls drew to a close on Wednesday, the weather is also set to turn cooler with the IMD forecasting thunderstorms and rain across all districts over the next week. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heavy rainfall is expected in the sub-Himalayan districts till May 3. It said due to a favourable wind pattern and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, thunderstorms are very likely across the state. Several western districts, including Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Bardhaman and Paschim Medinipur, have been experiencing high daytime temperatures, with mercury crossing 40 degrees Celsius at some places. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds reaching 50 to 60 kmph are likely in south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, Bankura and Paschim Medinipur, till May 3, the IMD said. Heavy rainfall is likely in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar till May 3, it added. The weather office advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal and north Odisha coasts till May 2.