Mercury may dip to 11 degrees this weekend, bring chilly spell

MP | 17 December 2018: Kolkata: The mercury in the city may dip to 11 degree Celsius by the weekend, bringing in the much awaited chilly spell in various South Bengal districts, predicted the Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore on Monday.

The cyclonic storm 'Phethai' did not hit the Bengal coast directly as it was predicted by the weather office, but brought light to moderate rainfall in the South Bengal districts throughout the day. Some districts, however, experienced a strong wind which was created due the impact of the cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh. The city woke up to a cold and cloudy morning as a result on Monday.

"Kolkata and its adjoining areas may receive light rainfall even on Tuesday and the mercury will start dipping. There could be a significant drop in temperature from Wednesday and city dwellers can expect a chilly spell during the weekend. The temperature may drop to 11 degree Celsius later this week," said a senior official of the Alipore Met office.

According to the official, the temperature on Tuesday may hover around 14-13 degree Celsius, while it will drop further from Wednesday, as the clouds start dispersing.

For the past few days, the minimum temperature had shot up as moisture in the air had started rising steadily after the formation of a low pressure trough over the Bay-of-Bengal. During last weekend, the mercury started climbing due to the incursion of moisture.

The city's sky remained overcast from Monday morning, with light rain in various parts. Though the city received light rainfall on Monday, some South Bengal districts like East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura witnessed moderate rain, along with a strong breeze.

According to the weather office, the cyclonic storm is likely to intensify after entering the Andhra coast on late Monday evening, but will later lose strength.

As per prediction, some parts of Gangetic Bengal and Jharkhand will experience strong gusty winds between 40-60 kmph, during the next 24 hours. According to the weather office, the city sky will mostly remain cloudy on Tuesday.

All the coastal district administrations have already issued alert to fishermen, asking them not voyage into the sea as it may remain turbulent due to the cyclonic circulation.

Beach towns like Digha, Mandarmani and others have witnessed high waves in the sea, which might have been caused do to the cyclonic storm. East Midanapore district police have taken measures to ensure that tourists in these towns do not bathe in the sea.