Kolkata and West Bengal are bracing for stormy weather from April 27th to April 29th, 2025 with thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds forecast across South and North Bengal. The mercury has dropped significantly in Kolkata, offering relief from the heat but raising concerns about potential disasters like hailstorms and lightning. An orange alert has been issued for eight districts including North 24 Parganas, Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. Here’s everything you need to know about this weather crisis and how to stay safe.

Details & Context
Kolkata woke up to cooler weather on April 27th, 2025 as storms and rain brought the temperature down from 34.2°C to a minimum of 23.6°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rain with thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30-60 km/h across South Bengal including Kolkata from Sunday to Tuesday. Some areas may see Kalbaisakhi-like conditions—severe storms with hail and lightning. An orange alert, signalling high risk has been issued for five South Bengal districts on Sunday: North 24 Parganas, East Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia. These areas could face winds up to 60 km/h and heavy rain.

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On Monday, the orange alert shifts to six districts: Hooghly, West Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, East Bardhaman and West Bardhaman with similar stormy conditions. By Tuesday, all South Bengal districts are expected to experience thunderstorms and rain. In North Bengal, heavy rainfall of 70-110 mm is forecast for Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar on Sunday, prompting an orange alert. Other North Bengal districts including North Dinajpur and Malda will see storms and winds of 40-60 km/h through Tuesday.

X posts reflect public concern, with users like @BengalWeather tweeting, “Kolkata’s temperature drop is a relief but the orange alert for 8 districts means trouble. Stay safe from lightning and floods.!” Another user, @IMDUpdates, warned, “Kalbaisakhi storms could disrupt South Bengal. Avoid open fields during lightning.” The IMD attributes this weather to cyclonic circulations over Rajasthan, Northeast Assam, Bihar and North Bengal, coupled with a north-south trough from Vidarbha to the Gulf of Mannar.

Quotes

·      IMD Official: “Expect light to moderate rain with thunderstorms across South Bengal. Winds may reach 60 km/h in some districts, with a risk of hail and lightning.”

·      Kolkata Resident (@CityKolkata): “The cooler weather is nice but these storms are scary. Lightning and strong winds could cause damage.”

·      North Bengal Local (@DarjeelingVibes): “Heavy rain in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri could lead to landslides. We need better warnings and safety measures.”

·      Weather Blogger (@BengalStorms): “Kalbaisakhi is no joke. Stay indoors during storms and avoid waterlogged areas to stay safe.”

Additional Information
The IMD’s 7-day forecast for Kolkata predicts persistent rain and thunderstorms through May 2 with temperatures dropping to 23-25°C (min) and 30-35°C (max). Humidity levels, currently at 63-91%, will make afternoons uncomfortable but storms are likely by evening or night. Beyond West Bengal heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya while hailstorms are forecast in Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. Heatwaves will persist in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, contrasting Bengal’s cooler spell.

The rough seas along Odisha and West Bengal coasts, with winds of 55-65 km/h, have led to a fishing ban. X users like @CoastalBengal posted, “Fishermen are grounded due to rough seas. Safety first but livelihoods are hit.” The cyclonic systems driving this weather are expected to weaken by mid-week but the IMD urges caution, especially in orange-alert districts prone to flooding and lightning strikes.

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Impact Analysis
The stormy weather has brought relief from Kolkata’s heat but poses significant risks. In South Bengal, heavy rain and winds could disrupt power lines, damage crops and cause waterlogging in low-lying areas like North 24 Parganas and Murshidabad. North Bengal’s heavy rainfall raises fears of landslides in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri where 70-110 mm of rain could destabilise hilly terrain. X posts highlight public frustration, with @BengalNews saying, “Kolkata’s drainage system can’t handle heavy rain. Flooding is inevitable.”

The orange alert has prompted school closures in some districts and advisories to avoid outdoor activities during storms. The fishing ban along the coast is impacting thousands of livelihoods, with no clear timeline for resumption. However, the temperature drop has eased heatwave concerns in Bengal, unlike northern states facing 40°C+ temperatures. The IMD’s timely warnings have been praised but users on X demand better infrastructure to handle such weather events, citing past flooding in Kolkata.

Kolkata and West Bengal are in for a turbulent few days as storms, heavy rain and gusty winds sweep through. The orange alert for eight districts underscores the severity, with risks of hail, lightning and flooding. While the cooler weather is a relief, the potential for disruption is high. Authorities must ensure robust safety measures and residents should stay vigilant. By staying informed and prepared, we can weather this storm together.

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