Mercury dips to 9.8°C in Dum Dum in Kolkata: Here is list of West Bengal districts with ‘Cold Day’ warning by IMD

Residents across South Bengal are experiencing severe chills as a cold wave has gripped the region. Kolkata recorded temperatures in the 10-degree range early on Wednesday, with Alipore reaching a minimum of 10.3°C and Dum Dum dipping to 9.8°C.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that temperatures may drop further by 3 to 4 degrees in several districts over the coming days, leading to bone-chilling conditions for the remainder of the week.

“A well-marked low-pressure area has formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours. Additionally, a cyclonic circulation is active over the Tripura region, which will facilitate the flow of cold north and northwesterly winds across West Bengal, further lowering temperatures below the seasonal average,” said a source in the weather department.

The minimum nighttime temperature is expected to remain 2°C to 4°C below normal across most parts of the state for the next four days, IMD stated. The maximum temperature in South Bengal is likely to stay at 3°C to 5°C below normal for the next three days, while temperatures in North Bengal may remain 4°C to 6°C below normal.

The intense cold is expected to persist for at least the next five days.

Until Saturday, Kolkata and all South Bengal districts will remain foggy. Visibility may drop from 999 metres to as low as 200 metres. Dense fog is expected on Wednesday in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, and North 24 Parganas, IMD said in a statement.

A “cold wave” warning has been issued for Birbhum and East Burdwan for Wednesday and Thursday. By Friday, similar conditions will prevail in Murshidabad, Nadia, and West Burdwan, IMD stated. Cold-wave-like conditions are expected in Bankura, West Burdwan, and North and South Dinajpur.

In North Bengal, regions such as Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar will experience ‘Cold day’ conditions until January 8, IMD said. Visibility in eight districts may drop significantly (199m to 50m) on Wednesday, prompting a Yellow warning.

IMD has also forecast a possibility of light rain in North Bengal over the next few days, with scattered rain and snowfall likely in Darjeeling.

The meteorological department anticipates that both day and night temperatures will remain below normal this week, with dry weather expected and no chance of rain for the next seven days.

The Kolkata Police have issued a “Fog safety alert” to help mitigate the risks associated with hazardous road conditions. The advisory urged motorists to exercise caution on major stretches such as EM Bypass, Red Road, and Diamond Harbour Road, where dense fog has reduced visibility to as low as 200 metres. While the police emphasized on safety measures like using fog lights and avoiding high beams, residents have responded to the unusual dip of 6.7°C below normal with a wave of humor on social media. The public shared memes that liken the biting chill to a “snowfall-like” experience, even as the IMD predicts snow and light rain in the higher reaches of nearby Darjeeling and Sikkim.