Kolkata found itself sweltering under an oppressive heatwave as the mercury soared to a scorching 43ºC on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in the city’s climatic history. According to reports from the meteorological department, the Alipore observatory recorded its highest temperature in half a century, sending alarm bells ringing across the region.
Amidst the stifling heat and parched landscapes, a glimmer of hope emerged as the meteorological department hinted at a potential respite in the coming days. Forecasting the likelihood of rain showers, fueled by moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal, authorities sought to assuage concerns and offer a ray of relief to beleaguered residents grappling with the sweltering conditions.
The blistering heat wave spared no corner of the city, with the Salt Lake area registering a maximum daytime temperature of 43.5ºC, amplifying the intensity of the scorching ordeal. Meanwhile, in the neighboring Barrackpore district of North 24 Parganas, the mercury surged to an astonishing 44.6 degrees Celsius, further underscoring the severity of the climatic upheaval.
Venturing beyond the confines of Kolkata, the heatwave’s relentless onslaught extended its reach across the state of West Bengal, leaving a trail of record-breaking temperatures in its wake. Kalaikunda, nestled in the Paschim Medinipur district and home to an Indian Air Force station, emerged as the epicenter of the heatwave, with temperatures soaring to an unprecedented 47.2ºC. The neighboring Paschim Bardhaman district witnessed a similar onslaught, as Panagarh, host to the esteemed air force station Arjan Singh, recorded a scorching 45.6ºC. Medinipur town and Bankura followed closely behind, registering sweltering temperatures of 45.5ºC and 45.1ºC, respectively, underscoring the widespread impact of the heatwave across the region.
Meanwhile, in the southern tech hub of Bengaluru, an alarming escalation in temperatures has set tongues wagging, as the city grapples with one of the hottest years in recent memory. Reports indicate that Bengaluru is on track to surpass previous temperature records, with Sunday witnessing a sweltering high of 38.5 degrees Celsius, marking the second-highest temperature recorded in the city over the past five decades.
While Bengaluru’s highest temperature record of 39.2 degrees Celsius, set on April 25, 2016, remains intact, the city’s meteoric rise in temperatures has raised concerns about the escalating heatwave. Sunday’s scorching temperatures, eclipsing Saturday’s already sweltering 38 degrees Celsius, have cemented April’s status as one of the hottest on record for Bengaluru, amplifying concerns about the city’s vulnerability to climatic fluctuations.
As meteorological agencies issue dire warnings about soaring temperatures across various states, red alerts have been sounded in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha, signaling the imminent threat of heat-related illnesses and heatstroke. With the heatwave forecasted to persist until May 2 before relenting, government authorities have issued fervent appeals for vigilance and caution among residents, urging them to prioritize their well-being and adopt measures to mitigate the adverse effects of the scorching conditions.
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