Kolkata greeted the onset of the southwest monsoon on Friday, marking its arrival in the city after a delayed start this year. The Meteorological Office officially announced the monsoon’s presence in Kolkata, though the day remained predominantly dry despite cloudy conditions. The subdued arrival suggests that intense rainfall is unlikely in the immediate forecast, with sporadic light to moderate showers anticipated over the coming days.
According to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) Kolkata, the monsoon has covered all districts of north Bengal and various parts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad. However, the monsoon’s current phase is not active, dampening expectations of heavy downpours.
“The southwest monsoon has progressed into significant parts of Bengal, but we do not foresee heavy rainfall at present. Kolkata should expect intermittent light to moderate rain,” commented HR Biswas, head of the weather section at RMC Kolkata.
Despite the monsoon’s arrival, Kolkata experienced its lowest maximum and minimum temperatures of June on Friday. The maximum temperature dipped to 31.5 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature hovered around 26 degrees Celsius, nearly a degree below the seasonal average.
Explaining the subdued start, Biswas highlighted the absence of triggering weather systems like cyclonic circulations or low-pressure areas over the Bay of Bengal. These systems typically enhance monsoon activity, leading to more pronounced rainfall patterns.
Recent rainfall figures indicate modest precipitation across the region. Alipore recorded 5.4 mm of rain, while Salt Lake and Dum Dum received around 7 mm between Thursday and Friday evening. Despite these showers, Kolkata and most parts of south Bengal continue to grapple with a significant rain deficit, exceeding 60% for the month.
Looking ahead, meteorologists advise that the monsoon’s progression into an active phase hinges on the development of conducive weather systems. Until then, Kolkata residents can expect ongoing cloud cover with intermittent spells of light rain, maintaining a relatively cooler climate compared to earlier in the month.
