The state of West Bengal is getting battered by the persistent heat wave conditions. The capital city Kolkata has been witnessing searing heat, with temperatures in excess of 40°C. Airport observatory Dum Dum and regional observatory Alipore, both recorded a maximum of 40.5°C, yesterday, about 5°C above the normal, amounting to heat wave conditions. Earlier, the airport Dum Dum registered a high of 42°C, on 20th April, observing a severe heat wave. The hot week is likely ahead for the city of Kolkata and its suburbs.
The state of West Bengal will cast its ballot in all seven phases of the election schedule. It is going to be peak heat for the entire duration from 19th April (1st Phase) and 01st June (7th phase ). The capital city Kolkata will go to polls on 01st June, the last phase. Interiors of the state, in the Gangetic West Bengal, sandwiched between Jharkhand and Bangladesh, will observe frequent and prolonged heat wave conditions, during this period.
Kolkata has received very little pre-monsoon activity, so far. Just 0.5mm of rainfall on one day and a trace of it, on two other occasions. Nothing significant is likely, except for a light sprinkle on the 28th/29th of April. The anticyclone over the Bay of Bengal, off Odisha coast, normally fueling little moisture, is getting displaced. Dry heat will become predominant, raising the temperature and increasing the intensity of the heat wave. The maximum temperature will exceed 40°C on a regular basis, for the next one week or even longer. It may, once again breach the 42°C mark. The last two days of April and the start of May will be blazing for most parts of the city and suburbs.
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