The IMD has issued a red alert for several districts of West Bengal,

The recent heatwave in West Bengal, has been attributed to several factors. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), severe heatwave conditions are likely to persist in parts of South West Bengal for the next five days due to dry winds coming from the northwest. The weather office has forecasted heatwave to severe heatwave conditions over many parts of South West Bengal, with isolated pockets experiencing severe heatwave conditions.

The IMD defines a heatwave when the local temperature is expected to cross 40°C and simultaneously rise 5-6°C above the region’s normal temperature. A severe heatwave is declared when the mercury is likely to surpass the average by 7°C or more2. The presence of high moisture can further exacerbate the discomfort in many places.

In Kolkata, for instance, state capital recorded a maximum temperature of 40.2 degrees Celsius along with 87 percent humidity on a recent Sunday3. Severe heatwave conditions prevailed in West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, and West Burdwan districts of West Bengal.

The IMD has issued a red alert for several districts of West Bengal, indicating that some regions of the state are expected to experience extreme heatwave-like conditions1. Residents are advised to take precautions such as wearing light and loose-fitting clothing, keeping skin wet, and taking cool showers to mitigate the effects of the heatwave.