KOLKATA: It has been an exceptionally mild summer in Kolkata and Gangetic Bengal so far with the region receiving substantially higher rainfall than normal during the pre-monsoon period. While Kolkata has received 42% more rain than the normal mark between March 1 and May 7, Gangetic Bengal has got 82% more rain during the period.
Frequent formations of systems like cyclonic circulations and low-pressure troughs have led to thunderstorms and rain that kept the mercury down. Kolkata has recorded a highest temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius so far while the mercury is yet to touch 40 degrees in south Bengal, which is unusual, according to weathermen.
In Kolkata, the normal rain count between March 1 and May 7 is 112.2mm while the city has received 159.5mm. Five squalls have struck the city since April 10, the last being on Wednesday morning that lashed Kolkata with a wind speed of 71 km/hr. At least two more squalls have been predicted this week.
Gangetic Bengal has received 181mm rain, which is close to double the usual figure of 99mm. Apart from the systems that have led to thunderstorms, a high-pressure zone above the Bay of Bengal has been supplying moisture, thus aiding the systems. “The high-pressure has made a big difference this time. There has been adequate heating in the central parts of India and the moisture from the Bay of Bengal has been leading to thunderclouds. For instance, we had a high-intensity squall on Wednesday that was triggered by clouds formed in Madhya Pradesh. The cloud cells travelled all the way, reaching Kolkata early in the morning,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) director GK Das.
Kolkata and south Bengal receives around six thunderstorms between March and May. “Often, we receive more. This time, for instance, we have had more than 10 already with five squalls while more may be in store. Due to the high-pressure zone and the consistent formation of systems, we have had a series of thunderstorms. Usually, there is a break and the interim period gets very warm till the next thunderstorm strikes. But this time, there has hardly been a break,” said Das.
Kolkata is set to receive a thunderstorm by Friday, which could be followed by yet another one during the weekend. “Till the high-pressure persists, chances of thunderstorm will remain high,” said Das.
On Wednesday, Kolkata was lashed by a squall that struck with a wind speed of 71km/hr. It lasted for three minutes, leaving a trail of uprooted trees, toppled lampposts and snapped electrical wires across the city under lock down. On Wednesday, Kolkata received 46.6mm rain The squall struck at an unusually early hour – 3.55am. It was, however, not the first early morning squall this season. In mid-April, another early morning squall had hit the city.
Frequent formations of systems like cyclonic circulations and low-pressure troughs have led to thunderstorms and rain that kept the mercury down. Kolkata has recorded a highest temperature of 38.2 degrees Celsius so far while the mercury is yet to touch 40 degrees in south Bengal, which is unusual, according to weathermen.
In Kolkata, the normal rain count between March 1 and May 7 is 112.2mm while the city has received 159.5mm. Five squalls have struck the city since April 10, the last being on Wednesday morning that lashed Kolkata with a wind speed of 71 km/hr. At least two more squalls have been predicted this week.
Gangetic Bengal has received 181mm rain, which is close to double the usual figure of 99mm. Apart from the systems that have led to thunderstorms, a high-pressure zone above the Bay of Bengal has been supplying moisture, thus aiding the systems. “The high-pressure has made a big difference this time. There has been adequate heating in the central parts of India and the moisture from the Bay of Bengal has been leading to thunderclouds. For instance, we had a high-intensity squall on Wednesday that was triggered by clouds formed in Madhya Pradesh. The cloud cells travelled all the way, reaching Kolkata early in the morning,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) director GK Das.
Kolkata and south Bengal receives around six thunderstorms between March and May. “Often, we receive more. This time, for instance, we have had more than 10 already with five squalls while more may be in store. Due to the high-pressure zone and the consistent formation of systems, we have had a series of thunderstorms. Usually, there is a break and the interim period gets very warm till the next thunderstorm strikes. But this time, there has hardly been a break,” said Das.
Kolkata is set to receive a thunderstorm by Friday, which could be followed by yet another one during the weekend. “Till the high-pressure persists, chances of thunderstorm will remain high,” said Das.
On Wednesday, Kolkata was lashed by a squall that struck with a wind speed of 71km/hr. It lasted for three minutes, leaving a trail of uprooted trees, toppled lampposts and snapped electrical wires across the city under lock down. On Wednesday, Kolkata received 46.6mm rain The squall struck at an unusually early hour – 3.55am. It was, however, not the first early morning squall this season. In mid-April, another early morning squall had hit the city.
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