Twin storms hit Kolkata on Sunday, Met predicts another in 48 hours

KOLKATA: The city was lashed by two storms on Sunday evening — a hailstorm that struck with a wind speed of 20kmph was followed by a more severe thunderstorm with a wind speed of 72kmph. While the first one triggered an intense spell of rain and hail in south Kolkata and a drizzle in other parts of the city, the second one led to heavier showers.

Some areas in the south, including Garia, Jadavpur and Kasba, received showers accompanied by hail while it only rained in central and north Kolkata after the first storm. The second storm, a squall, caused a steady shower that lasted more than an hour. The Met office has predicted another thunderstorm within the next 48 hours.

Locals straighten guard rails blown over by the storm near Science City.

Sunday’s thunderstorms were triggered by a cyclonic circulation that developed over the Vidarbha region on Friday. It reached Jharkhand on Sunday afternoon and struck the city around 5pm. But since the accompanying wind speed was less than 45kmph, it didn’t qualify as a squall. The second storm struck around 7.25pm and was fiercer. “It remained dry and warm on Saturday, leading to warm conditions in the region. We already have a highpressure zone above Bay of Bengal, which has been infusing moisture into the region. The circulation drew in moisture and struck the city twice,” said Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) director GK Das.

A waterlogged road in Bhowanipore

Local cloud cells aided the first storm. “The system didn’t move much or lose strength. So the circulation continued to form convective cumulus clouds, which are ideal for thunderstorms and rain,” said Das.

A cabby checks out the damage caused by a branch falling on his car on RG Kar Road.

The circulation may continue to exist for now, said weathermen.“Since we have had two spells of heavy rain, the heat will be reduced on Monday. But as the temperature spirals up on Tuesday, we may receive another thunderstorm from the same circulation. The highpressure zone above Bay of Bengal is still active and moisture produced from it will continue to produce local cloud cells which may lead to another nor’wester,” said Das.

A rain-splashed Eden Gardens

Kolkata’s maximum temperature could be around 33°C on Monday, the Met office said.