No respite from heat for Kolkata

The city of Kolkata remains deeply affected due to the scorching heat with the temperature reaching as high as 36.7 degrees Celsius, which is above normal. However, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), the city of joy will continue to experience this heat for at least the next few days as there are no chances of thunderstorms whatsoever. G K Das, Director of Regional Meteorological Centre said, “The city will remain hot and humid at least till Sunday. There is no system in the region that can trigger a thunderstorm, though local clouds may generate one. But the chances of that happening are low. Only thunderstorms can provide temporary relief now. It can lower the temperature by two to nine degrees”. Das added, “Moisture incursion and cloud formation in the right areas is the key to thunderstorms. While we had favourable conditions quite frequently earlier in the month, there is now a lull. But this is peak summer and heating will continue. So, once moisture starts flowing in, thunderstorms may return”.  Kolkata experienced 15 thunderstorms since February but none in the last six days due to which the temperature continues to remain the same.  Warm winds from the northwest and central India blowing into Gangetic Bengal have made it worse for Bengal; even easterly winds carrying moisture from the sea are not being able to reduce the heat.