Hailstorms to lash North Bengal, light to moderate rain soon in city

MP| 26 February 2019 | Kolkata: Hailstorms are likely to occur in parts of North Bengal, especially in and around Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling districts.

The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore predicted hailstorm activity in some areas of North Bengal on February 26-27. Thunderstorms accompanied with gusty winds are likely to take place in some South Bengal districts as well. This is mainly because of the Western disturbances.

A senior official of the Alipore Met office explained that moist air coming from Bay of Bengal towards North and the Himalayan ranges running in the East-West direction are helping in lifting the moist air towards the sky.

The official also said that a strong breeze with an approximate speed of 45-50 km per hour may hit the South Bengal districts soon, including the city. According to the weather office, the city will receive light to moderate rainfall on February 25-26.

The city may witness intermittent rain for two days from Monday onwards, following the impact of the Western disturbances. Various South Bengal districts may also receive rainfall accompanied with strong breeze. There is a possibility of heavy downpour in North Bengal districts, coupled with hailstorms on February 26 and 27.

For the past few days, the city's temperature has climbed up by a few notches and city dwellers have been experiencing a spell of dry weather. As per the Met office prediction, the highest temperature in the city and its adjoining parts may hover around 32-33 degree Celsius in the next few days.

There may be a drop in the temperature during night hours and a moderate level of temperature fluctuation every now and then, throughout the week.

People in the city may get temporary relief from the ongoing warm and humid conditions due to the rain but the temperature will continue to soar high as soon as the rainy spells are over. The city's sky may remain partially cloudy, particularly in the morning hours, in the next three days, the Met office maintained.

The Met office also said that some parts of Northern India have been receiving moderate spells of rainfall due to Western disturbances. It is likely to move eastward, bringing some rainfall in Bengal. Moderate to heavy rainfall may also lash Odisha and Jharkhand.