Rainy respite this weekend, say MeT experts

MP | 28 March 2017 | Kolkata:  The Regional Meteorological Centre indicated a rain at the end of this week in the city and Gangetic South Bengal. 

The city recorded maximum 37 degrees Celsius and minimum 26 degrees Celsius temperature on Monday. No rainfall was traced on Tuesday and it was another hot day for Kolkattans. But with week-end rainfall, the temperature may drop by a few notches at the end of this week.

The RMC indicated that clouds would gather to usher in rainfall. 

"But that would be a pre-monsoon shower only. Kolkata is reeling under high levels of mercury. But the situation will change end of this week," a meteorologist at RMC said.

It will be a cyclonic circulation in Gangetic West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh in the lower levels. A trough would also be spotted moving across the circulation, he said.

It may be recalled that RMC had predicted that the situation would worsen as temperature could go up to 37 degrees Celsius till April 1. With the news of rainfall, there seems to be some respite in store. 

"This heat wave is unexpected during this time of the year, that is, just after the winter season and the advent of spring in Kolkata. A rainy day will be fun for us," said a college student. However, the sub-Himalayan West Bengal region would also see cloudy sky with rain and thundershowers, said RMC.

The trough will persist close to West Assam originating from Arunachal Pradesh and will probably go up to South Odisha. 

Experts have predicted that a cyclonic circulation may be witnessed over West Assam as well. Due to the confluence of all these systems, there will be rain over the sub-Himalayan West Bengal region and Sikkim. "Umbrellas are a must carry for these days. You can meet with unexpected rainfall any time," said another college-goer.