• Moumi Mousumi
• 28 Apr, 2025

West Bengal is gearing up for a stormy week as the weather department issues a Kalbaishakhi (nor’wester) alert for seven districts in South Bengal. Expect thunderstorms gusty winds up to 60 km/h and scattered showers across the state, with North Bengal also facing stormy weather. Temperatures are set to drop by 3-5°C, bringing relief from the heat. This article breaks down the forecast, backed by X posts and web insights.

Details & Context
A powerful weather system is sweeping through West Bengal, triggering a Kalbaishakhi alert for seven South Bengal districts: Hooghly, West Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia, East Bardhaman and West Bardhaman. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) as reported by Hindustan Times and X posts from @IMDWeather, South Bengal will face thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds of 40-60 km/h from April 28th to May 2nd, 2025. Heavy rain warnings are in place for West Medinipur and East Bardhaman with scattered hailstorms and lightning risks in some areas.

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North Bengal’s districts including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri and Malda are also bracing for showers and winds of 30-40 km/h on April 28th - 29th. By Wednesday, rain will be limited to Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri per web sources like The Times of India. Kolkata is set for stormy evenings, with winds of 40-50 km/h and a 4°C rise in night time temperatures increasing humidity discomfort.

The weather is driven by a cyclonic circulation over southwest Rajasthan and central Assam, a low-pressure line from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh and a western disturbance entering northwest India on May 2nd, as per IMD updates on X. This system will cool West Bengal by 3-5°C over the next four days, offering relief from recent heatwaves.

X posts reflect public concern and preparedness. @BengalWeather tweeted, “Kalbaishakhi alert for South Bengal.! Stay safe from lightning and gusty winds. #BengalWeather.” Meanwhile, @KolkataUpdates noted, “Kolkata’s evenings will be stormy. Keep umbrellas ready.! #Kalbaishakhi.” These posts highlight the storm’s significance, trending with hashtags like #Kalbaishakhi and #BengalWeather.

Forecast Table

Quotes

·      IMD Official (via Hindustan Times, April 28th, 2025): “South Bengal’s seven districts are under a Kalbaishakhi alert. Expect gusty winds up to 60 km/h and scattered hailstorms.”

·      X User @BengalWeather (April 28th, 2025): “Kalbaishakhi is coming.! South Bengal, brace for thunderstorms and lightning. Stay indoors during storms. #Kalbaishakhi #BengalWeather”

·      Kolkata Resident (via X, @KolkataDiary, April 27th, 2025): “Finally, some relief from the heat.! But these stormy winds are scary. Stay safe, Kolkata.! #KolkataWeather”

Additional Information
The Kalbaishakhi, a seasonal nor’wester is common in Bengal during April-May, bringing sudden storms and cooling temperatures. Web sources like Economic Times explain that the current weather is fuelled by a low-pressure system stretching from Vidarbha to the Gulf of Mannar influencing rainfall across Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. In West Bengal, the IMD predicts light to moderate rain in South Bengal through Thursday, with wind speeds dropping to 30-40 km/h by mid-week.

Kolkata’s weather is particularly humid, with relative humidity at 52-90% and a minimum temperature of 27.9°C on April 28th. Yesterday’s high was 34.2°C, slightly below normal but night time temperatures are above average, causing discomfort. X posts from @WeatherIndia highlight similar heavy rain warnings in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, Gangetic West Bengal and Kerala, while heatwave alerts persist in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Jammu-Kashmir.

Social media buzz on X shows residents preparing for disruptions. @SouthBengalNews shared, “West Medinipur and East Bardhaman, get ready for heavy rain.! Secure loose items. #Kalbaishakhi.” Farmers in rural areas, as noted by @BengalFarmers are rushing to protect crops from potential hailstorms, a recurring concern during nor’westers.

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Impact Analysis
The Kalbaishakhi storms will bring much-needed relief from heat but pose risks. In South Bengal’s seven districts, gusty winds and lightning could disrupt power lines and damage homes, as seen in past nor’westers, per Business Standard. Hailstorms may harm crops in West Medinipur and Bankura, impacting farmers’ livelihoods. Kolkata’s urban areas face potential water logging, with X users like @KolkataTraffic warning, “Stormy evenings may flood roads. Avoid low-lying areas. #KolkataWeather.”

The temperature drop of 3-5°C will ease heatwave conditions, boosting comfort but increasing humidity-related issues. Economically, the storms could delay outdoor activities like markets and construction, though agriculture may benefit from moderate rain. In North Bengal, tourism in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri could see a temporary dip due to scattered showers, as noted in web reports.

While the article focuses on Kalbaishakhi, it’s worth noting that West Bengal’s weather news is overshadowed by the recent Pahalgam attack in Kashmir (April 22nd, 2025) which has dominated X trends with #PahalgamAttack. The attack’s impact on national sentiment may reduce attention to weather updates but localized alerts remain critical for Bengal residents.

West Bengal is bracing for a turbulent week as Kalbaishakhi storms bring thunderstorms, gusty winds and cooling temperatures. With seven South Bengal districts on high alert and North Bengal facing showers, residents must stay cautious of lightning and hailstorms. Kolkata’s stormy evenings will test urban preparedness, but the temperature drop offers relief. As the state navigates these wild winds, staying informed is key. Follow the latest updates to stay safe and prepared.

Call to Action (CTA)
Stay ahead of the storms with real-time weather updates.! Follow and share The Daily Hints for the latest on Kalbaishakhi and Bengal’s forecast. Join the conversation on X with #Kalbaishakhi and keep safety first.!