The state of West Bengal received fairly widespread pre-monsoon activities during the last 24 hours. Heavy showers and thunderstorm accompanied with strong and gusty winds lashed the region. The impact of these activities was seen more towards the southern parts of Gangetic West Bengal, which included the state capital of Kolkata. In fact, winds were gusting over 100 kmph.
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Reportedly, around 12 people lost their lives due to these pre-Monsoon activities and lightning. East India is quite prone to lightning and thunderstorm during this time of the year, which claims several lives every year.
In a span of 24 hours from 8:30 am on Tuesday, Kolkata recorded 31.4 mm of rain, followed by Burdwan 8.3 mm, Coochbehar 8.2 mm, Darjeeling 8.0 mm, Malda 6.5 mm, Jalpaiguri 1.2 mm, Bankura 0.4 mm and Diamond Harbour 0.3 mm. Meanwhile, Baharampur and Digha recorded traces of rain.
These rainfall activities started around 7:00 pm and lasted for almost two and half hours till 9:30 pm.
As per skymet weathermen, all these weather activities occurred in association with the cyclonic circulation and trough marked above the region.
In fact, as we all know that, pre-monsoon activities are common over these areas. But the origin of these activities is in Chota Nagpur, over the Jharkhand region. From there they travel towards Gangetic West Bengal and keep regenerating on their way and reach heights along with strong and gusty winds.
Talking about the temperatures across the city of Kolkata, maximum temperatures for the city were mostly seen in high 30’s for the last few days, whereas minimum temperature settled in mid 20’s.
However, due to these weather activities, Kolkata witnessed a drop of 9-10 degrees in mercury during the evening hours of April 17. The temperature at 7:00 pm on Tuesday was recorded at 32C that saw a steep fall and was at 23C at 8:30 pm.
Further, with the weather systems still prevailing over the region along with the enough moisture in the atmosphere, weathermen are expecting more rains over several parts of West Bengal during the next 24 hours.
True to their nature, the pre-Monsoon activities would take place during later part of the day or evening. Temperature is the major trigger during this season. As in when day temperatures increase, combined with the prevailing moisture in the atmosphere, leads to formation of convective clouds over the region. Thus, these activities mainly take during the other half of the day.
Not only this, these showers do not have any impact on maximum temperatures as by the time rains occur, the mercury has already peaked. Even if there is a good amount of rain in evening, like the case on Tuesday, the next day would start afresh and mercury will once again start soaring as the sun comes up.
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Any information taken from here should be credited to skymetweather.com