West Bengal Weather Turns Extreme: Heat Wave to Thunderstorms

Heat Wave condition likely over some districts of West Bengal on 26th April, 2025 and thereafter thunderstorm activities over the districts of West Bengal.

Mainly dry westerly to north westerly wind very likely to prevail over the region and consequently

heat wave and hot & humid condition is very likely to occur over West Bengal on 26th April, 2025.  

Wind pattern very likely to change from 26^th. and due to favourable wind pattern & moisture incursion

from Bay of Bengal, moderate to severe thunderstorm activity likely to commence from 26th April

afternoon over some districts of West Bengal. Details warning for next five days given below.  

Temperature & humidity Forecast:

Day temperature (Maximum temperature) is expected to be above normal by 3⁰ C – 5^°C across South Bengal and Malda district till 26th April.  Maximum relative humidity over coastal districts likely to be 80 -90% and over interior districts about 70 -80% and Minimum relative humidity is likely to be 45 -55% over coastal districts and 30-45% over interior districts.

Past 24 hours observed significant weather:

• Heat wave conditions prevailed at one or two places over West Burdwan district of South Bengal and Malda district of North Bengal.  

• Maximum temperature was 3-5°C above normal at most places over North Bengal; at a few places over South Bengal.

• Highest Maximum temperature was 44.5°C recorded at Kalaikunda of West Midnapore and Purulia in South Bengal and 40.5°C recorded at Malda in North Bengal.  

Heat Wave Warning for South Bengal:  

26-04-2025 – Heat Wave conditions (Maximum temperature 40°C or more and above normal by ≥ 5°C) likely to occur at one or two places over West Burdwan, Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram districts.

Hot and Humid weather conditions likely to occur at one or two places over Murshidabad, East

Bardhaman, Nadia and Hooghly districts.  

Heat Wave Warning for North Bengal:  

26-04-2025 – Heat Wave conditions (Maximum temperature 40°C or more and above normal by ≥ 5°C) likely to occur at one or two places over Malda districts.

Thunderstorm and Gusty Wind Warning for South Bengal:

26-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Purulia, Jhargram, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Bankura, West Midnapore, East and West Bardhaman districts.  

27-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 50-60 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall very likely to occur at one or two places over Birbhum, East Burdwan, Murshidabad, Nadia and North and South 24 Parganas districts with hailstorm likely at one or two places over East Bardhaman and Nadia district. Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over rest districts.

28-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 60-70 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Purulia, Bankura, West Burdwan, Hooghly, Jhargram and West Midnapore districts with heavy rainfall (>= 7cm) likely at one or two places over West Midnapore district. Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over rest districts with heavy rainfall (>= 7cm) likely at one or two places over East Bardhaman district.

29-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over rest districts.

30-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 30-40 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over all the districts.

Thunderstorm and Gusty Wind Warning for North Bengal:

26-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over all the districts.

27-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 50-60 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over the districts of north Bengal with heavy rainfall (07-11 cm) likely to occur at one or two places over Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Darjeeling districts.

28-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 40-50 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over all the districts with heavy rainfall (07-11 cm) likely to occur at one or two places over North Dinajpur and Darjeeling districts.

29-04-2025 – Thunderstorm with gusty wind (speed: 30-40 kmph), lightning and light to moderate rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Malda, North Dinajpur, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts.

Possible Impact due to Heat Wave:

1. Heat is tolerable for general public but moderate health concern for vulnerable people e.g. infants, elderly, people with chronic diseases, people exposed to sun for prolonged period or doing heavy work.  

2. Heat cramp, heat rash likely.

Action suggested due to Heat Wave:  

1. Avoid prolonged heat exposure and outside work during 11AM to 4PM.

2. Wear light weight, light coloured, loose, cotton clothes. Cover your head: Use a cloth, hat or umbrella.

3. Drink sufficient water- even if not thirsty to avoid dehydration.

4. Recognise the signs of heat rash or heat cramps such as weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating and seizures. If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor/ hospital immediately.

Possible Impact due to thunderstorm with lightning/gusty winds:  

1. Some damages of standing crops, vegetables and horticulture.

2. Possibility of lightning strike especially in open field.  

3. Damage to loose/unsecured structure.

4. Traffic disruption in urban areas.

Action suggested due to thunderstorm with lightning/gusty winds:

1. Take shelter in safe place during thunderstorm activity.  

2. Avoid taking shelter under tree/electric pole and avoid contact with water bodies.

3. Movement of traffic may be regulated judiciously during thunderstorm activity.

Team Maverick