Kolkata recorded a brief but intense spell of rain and lightning on Sunday, with the Regional Meteorological Centre forecasting a higher possibility of rain across south Bengal on Tuesday and Wednesday as the southwest monsoon begins withdrawing from the region.
The shower came despite a sunny morning and affected parts of the city, particularly northern Kolkata and its suburbs. The thundercloud that developed over these areas was described by meteorological officials as powerful, although the spell lasted for about half an hour. Alipore recorded 1.4 mm of rain.
The weather office expects Monday to remain largely dry, with the likelihood of rain increasing across south Bengal over the following two days. The forecast is relevant to city residents because short-duration thunderstorms can create sudden disruptions even when the broader day begins with clear conditions.
HR Biswas, head of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata, said a trough line was prevailing over the city before the monsoon withdrawal. Two opposing wind systems, involving westerly and easterly winds, were circulating in the region, he said.
According to Biswas, daytime heating combined with the availability of moisture can trigger the formation of thunderclouds. The latest spell was therefore linked to local atmospheric conditions rather than a prolonged rain system covering the entire city.
The withdrawal line of the southwest monsoon has started entering Jharkhand and Bihar. However, RMC officials said it was too early to conclude when the monsoon would fully retreat from West Bengal. The timing of the withdrawal remains important for urban weather planning because Kolkata can continue to experience sudden rain and lightning even as the seasonal system weakens.
The Met office has also sought to contain concerns about heavy rain during the puja period, saying there is currently no indication of such a spell. Officials cautioned, however, that it is too early to issue a reliable forecast for weather during the puja days.
The monsoon arrived in Kolkata on June 12, according to the report. For the immediate period, residents can expect a mostly dry Monday followed by a greater possibility of rain across south Bengal on Tuesday and Wednesday, while the regional weather office continues to assess the monsoon’s withdrawal from the state.
