The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday announced a heatwave alert over south Bengal between May 10 and 12.
Several districts of south Bengal like Birbhum, Bankura, Purulia, South and North 24 Parganas, South and North Dinajpur, Midnapore, Burdwan, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly, Kolkata etc. during this time will experience hot and discomfort weather.
According to IMD, mainly dry westerly wind is prevailing over the region. The maximum temperature on Tuesday was above 40°C over West Bengal's Malda 40.8(+5.8), Raiganj 40.2, Balurghat 40 0(+49), Bankura 42.8(+52), Sriniketan 41.9(+5.3), Magra 40.5(+5.5), Kalaikunda 41.2(+4.1), Burdwan 41.0(+4.4), Panagarh 41.9, Asansol 41.5(+4.3), Purulia 41.7 (+3.5), Suri 43.0(+6.4), Kakdip 40.2, Jhargram 41, Kharagpur 40.8.
An orange alert has been issued for Birbhum, West Burdwan, Bankura and Malda districts on May 10 and 11.
Although there is no heatwave alert yet for Kolkata, East Midnapore and south 24 Parganas districts, the Met office says that the city will be experiencing hot and uncomfortable weather in the next couple of days.
The highest recorded temperature in Kolkata yesterday was 38.9°C which was 3 notches above the normal mark.
G.K. Das, director, Indian Meteorological Department, Kolkata had said earlier that the system on the Bay of Bengal has turned the sea into a low-pressure zone that is drawing winds from the land, which is a high-pressure zone. The hot and dry winds from the north and west, enroute to the sea via Bengal, have been contributing to the rise in mercury.
The special bulletin this afternoon has predicted the impossible impacts of the heatwave and hot weather. IMD stated that heat is tolerable for general public but moderate health concern for vulnerable people eg. infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases, people exposed to sun for prolonged period or doing heavy work. Heat cramp, heat rash likely due to long exposure of heat.