Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) Coming as a respite from the sweltering heat in West Bengal, the Regional Meteorological Centre, Alipore, on Thursday predicted Nor’wester over Kolkata and south Bengal districts later in the day and on Friday.

There is a high probability of thunderstorms with lightning and rain, locally known as ‘Kal baisakhi’. Scattered rains are likely to occur in all districts of West Bengal, including Kolkata.

A yellow alert has already been issued in Howrah and South 24 Parganas districts. There will be moderate rain with thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds at a speed of 30 to 40 km per hour.

The Meteorological Office says that there is a possibility of scattered thunderstorms in Kolkata as well. The weather department has issued an orange alert in six districts of south Bengal. This alert is for North 24 Parganas, Bankura, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Nadia, and Birbhum districts.

The weather office said the possibility of thunderstorms will continue across all districts even after Thursday and Friday, with higher chances in Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore, Jhargram, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum and Murshidabad.

Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds at 40 to 50 km per hour, is likely. Light rain is also likely in some parts of Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts on Saturday and Sunday.

Due to the thunderstorms, the temperature will decrease slightly on Friday, but will increase again on Saturday and Sunday. In Kolkata, the temperature may reach 36 degrees Celsius, and in the western districts, it may reach 40 degrees C during the day.

Meanwhile, rain will continue in the five districts of north Bengal. There will be a high chance of thunderstorms in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri. Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and lightning, and gusty winds of 30 to 40 km per hour are likely in all districts of north Bengal. There is also a possibility of scattered thunderstorms in Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur districts.

–IANS

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