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Kolkata Shivers: Coldest Day in 13 Years as Bone-Chilling Cold Grips Bengal

Kolkata recorded its coldest day in 13 years as temperatures plunged to 10.2 degrees Celsius, significantly below normal. The Regional Meteorological Centre has forecast 'cold day' conditions for nine districts across both North and South Bengal. Dense fog warnings are in effect for several districts, with visibility potentially dropping to 50 meters in parts of North Bengal. Snowfall is also expected in the hilly areas of Darjeeling, with the severe weather predicted to persist for the next week.

Key Points: Kolkata Records Coldest Day in 13 Years, Cold Wave Intensifies

  • Kolkata's temp drops to 10.2°C, 3.7° below normal
  • Coldest January day in the city since 2013
  • Dense fog and 'cold day' warnings for multiple districts
  • Snowfall predicted for Darjeeling's high-altitude areas
3 min read

Bengal experiences spine-chilling cold; Kolkata records coldest day in past 13 years

West Bengal faces severe cold wave with Kolkata's temperature plunging to a 13-year low. Dense fog and snowfall predicted to persist across the state.

"Cold day conditions will prevail in nine districts of the state. - Official, Regional Meteorological Centre"

Kolkata, Jan 6

Cold conditions continued unabated in West Bengal on Tuesday, with Kolkata recording the coldest day in past 13 years.

On Tuesday, the minimum temperature in the city dropped to 10.2 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature in Kolkata on Monday was 18.4 degrees Celsius, which is 6.7 degrees below normal.

This sharp drop in minimum temperature, coupled with the free flow of northerly winds, resulted in bone-chilling cold in Kolkata and across the state.

This is the lowest temperature in Kolkata in January in the last 13 years. On January 9, 2013, the minimum temperature in Kolkata dropped to 9 degrees Celsius. On January 22, 2003, the minimum temperature in Kolkata was 9.3 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, in some parts of the suburbs and surrounding areas, the temperature dropped below 10 degrees Celsius on Tuesday morning.

A light blanket of fog was also observed in Kolkata from early morning. However, the surrounding districts started to be covered by dense fog from late Monday night.

This winter season has been marked by dense fog, light rain and even snowfall. These conditions are predicted to persist strongly in the weather of Bengal for the next seven days.

An official of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore said, "Cold day conditions will prevail in nine districts of the state. These include Malda, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur in north Bengal; and Bankura, Birbhum, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Murshidabad and Nadia districts in south Bengal."

As a result, the districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, are likely to experience a further drop in temperature by a few degrees. On Wednesday and Thursday, the nighttime temperature in South Bengal may fall by another 2 degrees. There will be no significant change in temperature in the next 4 to 5 days. During this period, the maximum daytime temperature will also remain 3 to 5 degrees below normal.

On Tuesday, 'cold day' conditions (when the maximum daytime temperature drops significantly below normal) may prevail in parts of the two Burdwan districts, Bankura, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia.

Similar 'cold day' conditions may persist in all these districts except Bankura on Wednesday. A warning for dense fog has also been issued for Murshidabad and Nadia.

In North Bengal, dense fog is expected in almost all districts for the next few days. Visibility may be reduced due to fog in the early morning hours. 'Cold day' conditions may also develop in the two Dinajpur districts and Malda in north Bengal.

Meanwhile, snowfall has occurred in Sikkim and Darjeeling. The Meteorological Department forecasts that the maximum temperature in north Bengal will remain 4 to 6 degrees Celsius below normal. Rain is also predicted in the hill areas. Rain is likely in Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts on Tuesday.

There is a possibility of snowfall in the hilly areas of Darjeeling.

Snowfall is expected today in high-altitude areas like Sandakphu, Ghoom, Dhotrey and Chatakpur.

Dense fog is likely in north Bengal, particularly in Darjeeling, Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur. Visibility may drop to 50 metres in some places.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Just came back from Darjeeling. The snowfall is beautiful but the roads are a nightmare. Tourists, please drive very carefully. The fog warning is no joke – visibility was near zero this morning.
A
Aman W
While the cold is severe, I feel the Met department's warnings are quite accurate this time. They predicted this cold wave days in advance. Good information helps us prepare – stocked up on blankets and groceries.
S
Sarah B
Visiting Kolkata from the US and this cold is unexpected! It feels much colder than 10 degrees because of the humidity. The locals are calling it 'piercing cold' and now I understand why. Time to buy a proper sweater from New Market!
V
Vikram M
The real concern is for the farmers in Murshidabad and Nadia. Such a sharp, prolonged drop can damage winter crops like potatoes and vegetables. Hope the state agriculture department has issued advisories.
K
Karthik V
With respect, while the cold is bad, I wish the media coverage was this detailed for heatwaves in May, which claim many more lives. Cold waves get more attention, but both extremes need equal focus on preparedness and public health.
N
Nisha Z
My mother in Bankura said the fog is so dense she can't see the neighbour's house.

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