Pleasant surprise: Pre-monsoon rains... likely to peak on March 10-11

MP, 2017/03/08, Kolkata : Heavy pre-Monsoon showers sent Kolkata denizens scampering for cover on Wednesday. 42mm of rain was recorded within a span of three hours from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm. "The rains will continue till  Saturday," predicted the Regional Meteorological Centre.

Along with rainfall, some thunderstorms were also reported in evening. Owing to the showers, traffic snarls were witnessed both in and around city areas. "Slight water logging was also reported in several places inside the city," said sources.      

 After a prolonged dry and sultry spell, the sudden rainfall was enthusiastically welcomed by Kolkatans. This time of the year is regarded as spring season in Kolkata. "Few of the south and north Bengal districts reported light to heavy rainfall. But, many farmers were seen concerned over the growing of crops," added sources.

Kolkata is now witnessing rain and thundershowers but the intensity has decreased marginally. Skymet Weather Service, a private weather service provider, has predicted that the rains will continue in the state capital for the next few days. "These showers have also brought down the maximum temperature significantly. The current temperature is around 21 Degree Celsius," reported Skymet.

"Rain bearing clouds were seen floating in the sky since morning," said weather scientists.  They also stated that the trough of clouds extended from Assam right up to Coastal Andhra Pradesh across Gangetic West Bengal.

"The rainfall is likely to peak on March 10-11. Also, Kolkata will get both moderate and heavy rainfall," predicted Skymet.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre – Kolkata, it is the pre-monsoon rainfall. "We are not so surprised. This is pre-monsoon rainfall. Circular wind movement could be seen in Jharkhand and Bangladesh, hence the rainfall in Kolkata," said RMC director G K Das.