Intense winter chills continue to dominate West Bengal’s weather map, with Kolkata joining several districts in recording sharp temperature falls. The mercury plunge marks a decisive shift from mild autumn to harsh winter reality.
Minimum temperatures across the board: Kolkata at 11°C, Darjeeling plains at 8°C, and coastal areas brushing 12°C. Persistent fog has enveloped the landscape, turning commutes into cautious crawls and stranding travelers.
IMD analysis links the anomaly to a trough of low pressure extending from the Himalayas, trapping cold air masses. ‘This setup favors prolonged cold day conditions,’ notes the forecast bulletin, extending the alert till Friday.
Socio-economic ripples are evident: agricultural workers delay field work fearing crop damage, while urban poor seek shelter from the bite. Markets see a run on thermal wear, with prices up 20%. Educational institutions invoke half-days, prioritizing student safety.
Preventive measures ramp up, including mobile medical vans screening for cold-induced illnesses. Awareness drives promote traditional remedies like ginger tea alongside modern advice. As night falls, the cold deepens, but so does communal solidarity.
Forecasts hint at gradual easing post-weekend, yet this cold wave etches into memory as one of the season’s fiercest, prompting reflections on urban preparedness for extreme weather.