Kolkata sees coldest January morning in 15 years

Kolkata: The capital city of West Bengal witnessed its coldest January day on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 10.2 degree celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The weather agency warned that cold conditions are likely to intensify across southern West Bengal over the next two days.

IMD data shows that Kolkata’s temperature has fallen below 11 degree celsius only once in the past 15 years, in 2023, when it touched 10.9 degree celsius. Earlier, the city recorded 10 degree celsius in December 2012, while the lowest temperature ever recorded in Kolkata remains 7.2 degree celsius, registered in December 1965.

Neighbouring areas reported even lower temperatures. Dum Dum recorded 9.5 degrees celsius, while Howrah saw the mercury dip to 9 degree celsius, according to the IMD.

In the plains, Sriniketan in Birbhum district was the coldest location in the state at 6.2 degree celsius. In the hills, Darjeeling recorded the lowest temperature at 3.2 degree celsius. Among other major cities, Siliguri recorded 10.6 degree celsius, while Asansol** registered 8.8 degree celsius.

A thick layer of fog covered Kolkata during the morning hours, reducing visibility in several parts of the city. The IMD said the minimum temperature was 6.7 degrees below normal.

The weather office said cold wave conditions are expected to strengthen in southern West Bengal, with temperatures likely to fall by another two degrees celsius on Wednesday and Thursday. After that, temperatures are expected to remain largely stable for the next four to five days.

Daytime temperatures are also likely to stay three to five degrees below normal during this period. In north Bengal, dense fog is expected to persist in many districts, especially in the early morning, leading to poor visibility.

Cold day conditions may also prevail in parts of Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur and Malda. The IMD has advised people, particularly the elderly and those with existing health issues, to take necessary precautions as the cold spell continues.

(with inputs from agencies)