South Bengal braces for peak heat as it waits for monsoon; North Bengal sees early rain

Southern West Bengal is set to experience the peak of its current heatwave and discomfort this week, with temperatures expected to rise further. The IMD warns that high water vapour content will exacerbate discomfort in coastal and adjacent districts.
There is a slight chance of rain with thunderstorms on Monday in some coastal areas of South Bengal and adjoining districts. The intensity and frequency of thunderstorms are expected to increase from Wednesday, though heavy rainfall is not foreseen at this time.
Meanwhile, western districts of the state will remain dry.
In contrast, North Bengal has already welcomed the monsoon ahead of schedule. Scattered rains with thunderstorms are anticipated in the districts, including Darjeeling. However, heavy rainfall is not expected in any North Bengal district in the coming days.
Kolkata is expected to experience mainly dry weather, with temperatures steadily climbing. Residents should not anticipate immediate relief from the scorching heat, the IMD said. There is a slight possibility of scattered light rain from Wednesday onwards.
Meteorologists indicate that the southwest monsoon is currently stalled across the country, having remained inactive since May 29. The IMD forecasts the potential formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal in the next few days, with its movement crucial for the monsoon's progression into South Bengal.
There is some divergence among different weather models regarding the exact timing and trajectory of this low-pressure system. A rough forecast suggests its formation between June 10 and 17, potentially strengthening and moving towards the West Bengal-Odisha coast.
Despite North Bengal's early monsoon, the IMD states that the wind speed and environmental conditions in South Bengal are not yet conducive for its arrival. Chances of rain in West Bengal remain low until June 12.
Temperatures across South Bengal districts may increase by up to 4 degrees Celsius in the next three days, accompanied by dry and uncomfortable conditions. The districts, including Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Purba and Paschim Bardhaman, Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum, and Murshidabad will primarily experience hot and dry air.
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More

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