The scorching heat in West Bengal is about to be interrupted by a violent weather shift. The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued a high alert for severe thunderstorms and “Kal Baisakhi” (Nor’westers) expected to hit several districts within the next few hours. Due to a strong anti-cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, moisture is surging into the state, creating ideal conditions for heavy downpours.

Starting Friday, the intensity of the rain will increase across both South and North Bengal. Districts like Kolkata, Hooghly, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas are likely to witness gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph. In districts like Birbhum and Murshidabad, there is a high probability of hailstorms. The stormy weather is predicted to persist until Sunday evening, providing relief from the heat but posing a risk of infrastructure damage.

Authorities have advised citizens to stay indoors during lightning and have warned farmers about potential damage to mango and litchi crops. Fishermen have been prohibited from venturing into the sea. While the mercury will drop by a few notches, the sudden nature of these storms could lead to uprooted trees and power outages in urban areas. Stay tuned for further updates as the weather develops.