Kolkata, June 20: After a prolonged wait, the monsoon has finally made its entry into the southern region of West Bengal, bringing much-needed respite from the scorching heatwave conditions that had engulfed the area in recent weeks. Kolkata, the state capital, witnessed heavy rains and strong winds as the monsoon arrived, albeit nearly a week later than usual.
According to a senior weather department official, the monsoon typically reaches Kolkata around June 11 each year. However, this year, it was delayed by eight days. The north Bengal region also experienced a delay of five days before the monsoon reached there, consequently affecting its progress in south Bengal as well.
The arrival of the monsoon led to a slight dip in the mercury levels in Kolkata. The maximum temperature recorded was 32.9 degrees Celsius, one degree below the average maximum temperature, while the minimum temperature stood at 29.9 degrees Celsius, as reported by the weatherman.
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The Alipore Meteorological Office had predicted favorable conditions for the monsoon’s entry into south Bengal between Tuesday and Thursday in its Sunday bulletin.
Apart from Kolkata, districts like Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, Nadia, and Purba Burdwan were expected to experience thundershowers, as mentioned in the bulletin.
Over the next four to five days, the Met office expects a drop in temperature levels by at least 4 degrees Celsius. However, certain districts including Purulia, Bankura, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Birbhum, and Paschim Burdwan are still grappling with heatwave conditions. These districts are likely to receive rainfall from Tuesday onwards, providing much-needed relief.
The weather department has issued a heavy rain warning for both south and north Bengal from Monday to Friday. Meteorologists anticipate a temperature drop of three to five degrees Celsius during this period. In particular, Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar districts in north Bengal have been placed under a red alert for the next 48 hours.
As the monsoon advances further into West Bengal, it brings the promise of adequate rainfall and cooler temperatures, which are essential for agriculture, water resources, and overall relief from the intense summer heat. The delayed onset may have caused some inconvenience, but the timely arrival of monsoon rains will undoubtedly rejuvenate the region and provide much-needed relief to its residents.
