Updated on April 7, 2015 at 6.10 pm: Kolkata Airport has confirmed thunderclouds over the city. One can expect rain in Kolkata at any time now. Inclement weather conditions like rain and strong winds may affect the IPL 8 opening ceremony.
Updated on April 7, 2015 at 5.30 pm: Thunderclouds continue to hang around on the outskirts of Kolkata. Kolkata Airport has issued a trend for thunderstorm and strong winds. Inclement weather conditions continue to pose a threat to the IPL opening ceremony.
Updated on April 7, 2015 at 4.30 pm: Thunderclouds have been spotted in Dhanbad, Asansol, and nearby areas. These clouds are now approaching Kolkata. Thunderstorm activity is expected in the city in an hour or so. Inclement weather conditions like rain and strong winds may jeopardize the IPL 8 opening ceremony scheduled to be held at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata this evening.
Updated on April 7, 2015 at 3.00 pm: Weather conditions are favorable for thunderstorm activity in and around Kolkata in the next 2 hours. Chances of inclement weather jeopardizing the IPL 8 opening ceremony in the evening still remain.
Updated on April 7, 2015 at 11.50 am: While the mood is set for the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League 2015, weather may end up playing spoilsport at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata today evening. Since last three days, the city has been experiencing thunderstorm activity coupled with rain.
The scheduled start of the event is 7.30 pm IST. On Monday, thunderstorm and lightning activity commenced in Kolkata at around 7.00 pm IST. This was followed by light rain in the night at about 9.00 pm IST. Moreover, the city witnessed thunderstorm activity and heavy showers on Sunday as well. Thunderstorms and rain in the city usually start late in the afternoon (or evening) and continue till night. Weather forecast suggests that similar weather activity can be expected today.
The fact that the timing of the event clashes with the timing of inclement weather conditions is not good news for cricket enthusiasts. Some 30,000 people are expected to turn up for the event with millions watching the ceremony live on television. There’s a slightly good chance that rain and strong winds may jeopardize the start to the eighth edition of the Indian Premier League.
Updated on April 6, 2015: The opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League 2015 will be held at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. The eighth edition of the annual Twenty20 cricket tournament will see 8 franchises go head to head against each other in 60 matches.
The first match of the tournament will be played between defending champions Kolkata Knightriders and Mumbai Indians in Kolkata on Wednesday. The city will also host the final of the tournament which will be held on May 24.
Speaking weather-wise, the first week of April in Kolkata is generally not too comfortable, particularly during daytime. Humid and warm conditions prevail in the region with day temperatures recording in the mid-30s. In addition to this, Kolkata has been witnessing thunderstorm activity since yesterday. Thunderstorm activity is also expected on Tuesday, late in the afternoon. There’s a rare chance that the opening ceremony may experience a short interruption.
The ceremony is set to be a glitzy affair with the likes of Shahid Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Anushka Sharma, and singer Pritam expected to perform as the IPL bandwagon kick-starts. Moreover, actor Saif Ali Khan will host the star studded ceremony. Captains of all eight IPL teams will also be present at the event.
About 30,000 tickets have been released for purchase by the BCCI for the opening ceremony. Special focus has been laid on security arrangements at the venue. CCTV cameras, routine vigil, watch towers, and dedicated teams led by officers will secure the premises where celebrities, popular cricket icons, and fans will converge.
(Main Image Credits: cricketzone.in)