The monsoon reached Malda on Thursday and Calcutta received rain that brought relief from the prolonged assault of heat and humidity. Met officials said the next three days are likely to be rainy in Calcutta.

The monsoon winds are expected to arrive in south Bengal between Friday and Sunday, according to the Met forecast.

Thursday’s rain in Calcutta was far from widespread. It came in more than one spell. The first spell, in the afternoon, was preceded by strong gusts of wind in some parts.

But it was the first proper showers in and around the city since June 6.

Around 1.40pm on Thursday, when Behala was getting rain, Esplanade was dry. But gradually, clouds covered the entire city. Most areas got rain by the evening.

The overcast conditions stayed and had the desired cooling effect on the city.

The late afternoon and evening were pleasant.

A cyclonic circulation over east Bihar and its neighbouring areas was the catalyst for the showers, said a Met official.

“Southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Bengal and it covered North and South Dinajpur districts and most parts of Malda district today, 20th June 2024,” said a Met bulletin.

“Conditions are favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into some parts of South Bengal and remaining parts of north Bengal during next 2-3 days.”

The monsoon is declared to have arrived in a district if more than 50 per cent of its Met stations receive rain and there is a change in the wind pattern, said a Met official.

“In winter, dry winds from land come to south Bengal. During the monsoon, moist winds from the Bay come to us. The change has begun but will take some more time to have a widespread effect,” said H.R. Biswas, head of the weather section at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Calcutta.

The monsoon made an early arrival in north Bengal this year. But south Bengal, where it usually arrives on June 10, is still waiting.

Biswas, however, had one word of hope. “Even if the monsoon does not arrive in Calcutta on Friday, rain is likely. The next three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) are likely to be rainy in Calcutta,” he said.

The maximum and minimum temperatures were 35.8 and 28.2 degrees. The Met office recorded around 3mm of rain in Alipore till 8.30pm.