Rains on Monday drenched Calcutta and several districts of southern West Bengal, parched under the scorching sun for days with the mercury shooting much above 40 degrees Celsius.

The Met Department said thunderstorms are likely in the region over the next few days.

Light to moderate rain accompanied by gusty wind brought welcome relief in several districts, bringing down the mercury significantly.

The weather office said a cyclonic circulation over south Jharkhand and strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal will bring thunderstorms with lightning and gusty wind in various districts of West Bengal.

The thundershowers in the evening rush hours in Calcutta and neighbouring Salt Lake was not seen as an inconvenience by many returning home from work, happy at the relief from the oppressive heat that has been prevailing for several days.

The Met said that thunderstorms with gusty winds will occur in several districts of West Bengal till May 10.

The maximum temperature in Calcutta reached 43 degrees Celsius on April 30, the highest in 50 years, according to the Met Department.

Many districts in southern West Bengal have been recording temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with some places sizzling at more than 45 degrees, affecting normal life.

The severe weather conditions in the southern and western districts of the state, caused by dry westerly winds and strong solar insolation, have led the state government to prepone summer holidays in schools run by it, while many private educational institutions have either switched to online classes or changed their timings.

Purulia recorded Monday's highest temperature at 42.3 degrees Celsius, while in Kolkata, the mercury touched 35.3, the Met Department said.

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