What’s Causing Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain in South Bengal?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Severe thunderstorms expected in South Bengal.
- Safety warning for fishermen to avoid the sea.
- Conditions for heavy rain and lightning are likely to continue.
- A cyclonic circulation is influencing the weather patterns.
- Maximum temperatures are above normal in Kolkata.
Kolkata, Sep 2 (NationPress) A strong squall front has moved through the districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata, unleashing heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds.
Since Monday night, relentless rain along with thunderstorms has been observed in various regions of South Bengal.
The Meteorological (MeT) Department has indicated that this weather system is expected to persist for another 12 hours. Consequently, intense rain and thunderstorms are anticipated in South Bengal districts, particularly in Kolkata, Howrah, and Hooghly.
Fishermen are advised to refrain from venturing into the sea from Tuesday to Thursday.
A squall front is characterized by a convergence zone where massive cumulonimbus clouds align in a linear formation, resulting from the clash of easterly and westerly winds. Such fronts frequently lead to severe downpours, thunderstorms, microbursts, and cloudbursts.
Meteorologists reveal that a squall front can develop in a remarkably short timeframe, leading to sudden darkness and conditions ripe for lightning, heavy storms, and rain.
On Monday night, the MeT Department issued a red alert for severe thunderstorms and lightning accompanied by significant rainfall for Howrah, Hooghly, and Kolkata.
A cyclonic circulation is located over the Bay of Bengal near the Myanmar coast. Its influence is expected to create a low-pressure area in the sea within the next 24 hours. The monsoon axis has shifted over the state, extending from Digha to the northeast Bay of Bengal, leading to the potential for heavy rain in some parts of South Bengal. The sea conditions are predicted to be rough due to this low-pressure area, resulting in intensified rain from Tuesday onwards.
Rain is also forecasted to continue in North Bengal, with the possibility of heavy rainfall in certain northern districts until next Sunday. Light to moderate rainfall is expected across the remaining districts, according to MeT officials.
On Monday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius, which is 1.7 degrees above the normal range. The minimum temperature stood at 28.2 degrees Celsius, also 1.6 degrees above normal.