Rain and chill, scalding hot and dry wind and sauna-like conditions reigned simultaneously in different parts of the state on Sunday. Similar weather is expected over the next few days. The temperatures in the state varied between 43.4 degrees Celsius in Bankura and 7.5 degrees in Darjeeling. According to the weather department, Darjeeling and other parts of north Bengal were experiencing rain because of a cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh and adjoining areas, which was drawing moisture from the Bay of Bengal. In Calcutta, the RealFeel was as high 45 degrees Celsius, although the maximum temperature was two notches below normal at 33.4. The discomfort was because of the relative humidity staying above 66 per cent in the city all day. 

“A trough of low pressure is extending from a cyclonic circulation over north Bangladesh to Odisha, passing over Gangetic Bengal. It is not strong enough to form rain-bearing clouds over Calcutta,” a senior Met official said.

In the western districts of Bengal, hot and dry winds were blowing in from north and central India, leading to a Celsius surge — 43.4 degrees in Bankura, six notches above normal.

“The south-westerly winds which are rich in moisture are blowing inland, preventing the dry winds from reaching Calcutta and keeping the temperature here in check,” the official said. “Because the moist winds from the sea are not penetrating deeper, the hot-and-dry winds are blowing freely in the western districts and the temperature is rising there.” 

Pictures by Sanjoy Chattopadhyaya, Vivek Chhetri and Indrajit Roy