Kolkata witnessed the raw power of nature today as a massive ‘Kalbaishakhi’ (Nor’wester) storm swept through the city, bringing life to a standstill. What started as a humid afternoon quickly turned into a scene of chaos when dark clouds blotted out the sun, followed by high-velocity winds and intense hailstorms across various districts.

Large hailstones were reported from Central Kolkata, Ballygunge, and North Kolkata, causing damage to vehicles and temporary structures. The wind speed, estimated to be over 60 km/h, uprooted trees in several key intersections, leading to massive traffic snarls during peak hours. Flight operations at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport were also briefly disrupted due to poor visibility and turbulent weather conditions.

According to the Alipore Meteorological Department, this sudden atmospheric shift is due to a moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal meeting cold winds from the north. While the rainfall has brought a much-needed respite from the rising temperatures, the sheer intensity of the storm has caused significant infrastructural damage. Power outages were reported in several neighborhoods as a precautionary measure against short circuits. The civic body has deployed disaster management teams to clear the debris and restore normalcy as fast as possible. Residents are advised to stay indoors as more spells of thundershowers are predicted for the next 24 hours.