As April bid farewell, Kolkata found itself at the mercy of an unprecedented heatwave, marking not only the hottest day of the season but also a scorching milestone not witnessed in seven decades. With the mercury soaring to a staggering 43 degrees Celsius, the city grappled with sweltering temperatures reminiscent of a bygone era.
The relentless heatwave that engulfed Kolkata on the last day of April shattered records set over the past 70 years. This scorching phenomenon follows closely on the heels of another record-breaking temperature recorded just last Thursday, marking the hottest day in 44 years. The city of joy, known for its resiliency in the face of adversity, faced yet another day of blistering heat after seven decades.
According to the Meteorological Office, Kolkata experienced a temperature of 43.0 degrees Celsius at 2.30 pm, a figure that hadn’t been seen since 1954 when the city recorded 43.3 degrees Celsius in April. The month of April, notorious for its relentless heat in recent years, witnessed one of the longest spells of a heatwave, a phenomenon not seen in nearly two decades.
Weather scientists offer little respite from the stifling conditions, predicting similar temperatures for the city in the coming days. An orange warning for a heatwave has been issued for eight districts of South Bengal until May 4, signaling the severity of the situation. While there are slight chances of the mercury reaching 45 degrees Celsius by Saturday, meteorologists anticipate that Kolkata will experience temperatures hovering around 43 degrees Celsius in the near future.
Despite the grim forecast, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon for the residents of South Bengal. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) forecasts rainfall in the coming week, offering a much-needed reprieve from the scorching heat. While localized clouds may bring some relief on May 5, significant rainfall is expected in districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, during May 7-8.
As Kolkata grapples with this unprecedented heatwave, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for climate resilience and adaptation measures. The record-breaking temperatures underscore the importance of proactive efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change and safeguard communities against extreme weather events.
In the face of adversity, Kolkata stands resilient, drawing strength from its indomitable spirit and sense of community. As the city braves this heatwave, it serves as a testament to the unwavering resolve of its people in the face of adversity.