Kolkata is heading into another spell of oppressive summer weather, with temperatures expected to hover around 36°C through the week even as scattered evening thunderstorms offer only temporary relief. The latest forecast has renewed concerns over how rising humidity and erratic pre-monsoon conditions are affecting public health, transport systems and everyday urban life across eastern India’s largest metropolis.
According to weather assessments issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kolkata and adjoining districts are likely to witness partly cloudy skies, elevated moisture levels and isolated thundershowers over the next several days. While rainfall activity may intermittently cool surface temperatures, meteorologists say the broader pattern points towards persistent discomfort driven by high humidity and unstable atmospheric conditions.The current Kolkata weather forecast reflects a wider climatic trend increasingly visible across Indian cities — intense heat combined with sudden localised storms. Urban planners and environmental researchers note that dense built-up zones, shrinking green cover and inadequate ventilation corridors are amplifying the “heat island” effect, especially in older neighbourhoods with limited open space.In Kolkata, the impact is particularly visible during commuting hours. Public buses, suburban rail networks and crowded market districts continue to experience high thermal stress as humidity levels remain above seasonal comfort thresholds. Recent observations from the Alipore weather office showed humidity fluctuating between 52 per cent and 93 per cent, contributing to what residents describe as exhausting daytime conditions.
Health specialists have also warned that alternating heat and thunderstorms create added risks for vulnerable groups, including outdoor workers, elderly residents and people living in poorly ventilated housing clusters. Heat exposure combined with moisture-heavy air reduces the body’s ability to cool itself naturally, increasing the possibility of dehydration and fatigue even when temperatures stay below official heatwave benchmarks.The recurring evening storms, meanwhile, are exposing long-standing weaknesses in urban drainage and civic preparedness. Several recent thunderstorm events across Kolkata and neighbouring districts triggered short-term waterlogging and transport disruption after intense bursts of rainfall and gusty winds. Urban infrastructure experts argue that such episodes are becoming more frequent due to changing pre-monsoon weather behaviour linked to broader climate variability.The Kolkata weather forecast also arrives at a time when cities across India are reassessing climate resilience strategies before the monsoon season. Experts say future urban planning will increasingly need to prioritise shaded pedestrian infrastructure, permeable surfaces, decentralised drainage upgrades and heat-resilient public spaces rather than relying solely on reactive weather advisories.
For now, the city is expected to continue oscillating between humid afternoons and isolated thunderstorms through early June. While short spells of rain may provide momentary comfort, meteorologists indicate that sustained relief is unlikely until a more stable monsoon system establishes itself over the region.
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