Consistently overcast conditions and multiple spells of rain marked Sunday in Kolkata.
The spells were brief but simultaneous across Kolkata, ensuring that the rain was uniform and widespread.
A low-pressure area over the northwest Bay of Bengal was behind the showers, said Met officials. The system, which is tipped to move inland in Odisha, is likely to cause more rain in the city in the next couple of days, according to the forecast.
Early risers woke up to a cloudy sky on Sunday. The city witnessed the first spells in the morning itself. The afternoon and evening also saw rain across the city.
According to data shared by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Ballygunge received around 35mm of rain till 6pm on Sunday. Maniktala, Pamerbazar, Patuli and Behala received around 20mm.
Since the arrival of the monsoon in Kolkata on June 19, the city has been receiving rain regularly. But till Saturday the showers lacked uniformity. Some parts of the city were dry, while others got drenched.
For the first time since June 19, the city received uniform and widespread rain on Sunday, a Met official said.
“The showers were uniform because they were caused by the first low-pressure area that took shape over the Bay since the monsoon’s arrival. A constant supply of northeasterly winds led to the formation of small clouds which emptied within a short span,” said G.K. Das, director, India Meteorological Department, Kolkata.
“The system was over the northwest Bay and the adjoining Bengal-Odisha coastline. It was expected to move into land in Odisha and then travel towards Jharkhand. Under its influence, more rain is likely in south Bengal over the next couple of days,” he said.
East and West Midnapore and Bankura may get heavy rain on Monday and Tuesday, said Met officials.
In Kolkata, the rain dragged the Celsius down. The maximum temperature was around 31 degrees on Sunday, two notches below normal. The mercury is likely to be under normal for the next few days.
The showers prompted Kolkatans to change their schedule. “Many regular faces were missing today. But the weather was pleasant,” said Ashok Gupta, who walks at Rabindra Sarobar almost every morning.