Kolkata records coldest day of season on Christmas
Kolkata, Dec 25
Kolkata recorded the coldest day of the season on Christmas as the minimum temperature dropped below 14 degrees Celsius.
On Christmas morning, the minimum temperature in Kolkata was 13.7 degrees Celsius.
The Maidan and Alipore areas were shrouded in fog from dawn.
As the day progressed, city dwellers, sporting sweaters and jackets, set off for the Alipore Zoological Garden, Eco Park, Science City, Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum and other amusement parks across the city.
The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata's Alipore said that the minimum temperature may drop by another 2 to 3 degrees in the next two days.
As a result, the people of the state will be able to enjoy the winter chill throughout the entire holiday season at the end of the year.
The Met Office previously announced that from Christmas, temperatures would drop across the state.
The intensity of the northerly winds would also increase accordingly, bringing down the temperature across the state.
On Thursday morning, Kolkata's minimum temperature was 13.7 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal.
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was 23.7 degrees Celsius, 1.9 degrees below normal. The weather office said that the temperature across South Bengal may drop by another 2 to 3 degrees in the next three days.
A series of western disturbances has moved away from north India, leading to an increase in the intensity of northerly winds.
Currently, the weather will remain dry throughout the state. However, various districts of the state will be enveloped by fog in the mornings.
On Thursday, the fog will be most intense in Purulia, West Burdwan, and Birbhum districts in South Bengal.
A yellow alert for dense fog has been issued for these three districts. Visibility may drop to 200 to 50 metres in some areas. Light to moderate fog will also be present in Kolkata and the remaining districts of South Bengal. Fog will also prevail in north Bengal.
On Thursday, a dense fog warning has been issued for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and North Dinajpur districts.
On Christmas Day, the lowest temperature in South Bengal was recorded in Birbhum district's Sriniketan - 8.5 degrees Celsius.
Besides this, the mercury dropped to 9 degrees Celsius in Suri, 13 degrees Celsius in Barrackpore, 10 degrees Celsius in Burdwan, 9.1 degrees Celsius in Bankura, 10.4 degrees Celsius in Asansol, 13 degrees Celsius in Diamond Harbour, 12.6 degrees Celsius in Midnapore, and 10.4 degrees Celsius in Berhampore.
In north Bengal, the lowest temperature was recorded in Darjeeling, 4.5 degrees Celsius.
Besides this, the temperature dropped to 8 degrees Celsius in Alipurduar, 10.1 degrees Celsius in Cooch Behar, and 10.5 degrees Celsius in Kalimpong.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As a lifelong Kolkatian, I must say this is a proper winter after many years. But the dense fog warning is a serious concern for road and rail safety. The administration needs to be proactive, especially with the holiday travel rush.
4.5°C in Darjeeling! That's hill station level cold. Meanwhile, we in Mumbai are sweating at 28°C. Enjoy the woolens, Kolkata! Perfect time for some nolen gur sandesh and hot tea.
Visiting from Canada and I find it fascinating how 13-14 degrees is considered a "cold wave" here. The cultural response to weather is so different. Everyone is bundled up like it's a snowstorm! It's quite charming.
While the holiday mood is nice, let's not forget the street vendors and homeless people. This "enjoyable chill" for us can be life-threatening for them. Corporation should open more night shelters.
The detailed district-wise temperature data is very useful. Planning a short trip to Shantiniketan this weekend, good to know it will be around 8-9°C. Time to dig out the heavy rajai from the trunk!
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