Kolkata entered another spell of oppressive summer conditions on Wednesday as soaring humidity levels intensified discomfort across the metropolitan region, while the India Meteorological Department warned of heavy rainfall across several districts in North Bengal over the coming days. The contrasting weather pattern is once again drawing attention to the growing climate vulnerability of eastern India’s urban and hill ecosystems, particularly as cities struggle with heat stress, drainage pressure and uneven infrastructure resilience.
The city recorded temperatures above seasonal averages alongside high moisture content in the air, creating “feels like” conditions significantly harsher than the actual temperature. Weather officials indicated that moisture inflow from the Bay of Bengal and changing wind systems are likely to sustain humid conditions over Kolkata and adjoining districts through the week. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also expected intermittently across parts of South Bengal.While Kolkata residents continued to face heat discomfort, districts in the sub-Himalayan belt including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar were placed under a heavy rainfall watch between May 21 and May 25. Meteorological assessments suggest that the convergence of moisture-laden winds and pre-monsoon atmospheric instability could trigger intense rainfall episodes in the northern region.Urban planners and climate experts say the diverging weather conditions between South and North Bengal underline the growing unpredictability of regional climate systems. Kolkata’s recurring humidity spikes are increasingly becoming a public health and productivity challenge, particularly for outdoor workers, low-income communities and areas with limited tree cover. At the same time, North Bengal’s repeated heavy rainfall episodes raise concerns around landslide risks, fragile transport connectivity and pressure on tourism-dependent hill economies.
The latest weather developments also expose long-standing infrastructure deficiencies. In Kolkata, dense construction, shrinking water bodies and inadequate ventilation corridors continue to amplify heat retention across several neighbourhoods. Environmental researchers have repeatedly warned that the urban heat island effect is worsening due to declining green cover and rapid concretisation. Similar concerns are emerging in North Bengal, where extreme rainfall events are placing stress on roads, drainage systems and hillside settlements.State agencies have begun monitoring vulnerable zones as thunderstorms and heavy rain warnings remain active. Transport disruptions, waterlogging and localised power outages are possible in parts of the state if storm intensity increases over the weekend. Weather officials have also advised caution in districts vulnerable to lightning and wind-related damage.Climate analysts note that eastern India is witnessing increasingly uneven pre-monsoon behaviour, with periods of extreme humidity, sudden thunderstorms and concentrated rainfall becoming more frequent.
For rapidly growing urban centres like Kolkata, the challenge is no longer limited to seasonal discomfort but extends to long-term questions around climate-resilient housing, public cooling infrastructure, sustainable drainage systems and equitable urban planning.With the monsoon approaching, civic authorities are expected to intensify preparedness measures, particularly in flood-prone urban pockets and ecologically sensitive northern districts where weather volatility is becoming a recurring economic and civic concern.
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