Fresh snowfall in upper hill regions, rainfall in rest of Bengal

Kolkata, Jan 30 (UNI) The upper reaches of the Darjeeling hill regions in the state today experienced fresh snowfall, with the minimum temperature in the North Bengal district plumetting well below the freezing point, and severe chill in other districts of North Bengal, including Siliguri and Jalpaiguri.

The local Met office recorded snowfall in the upper reaches of the Sandakphu and Singalila ranges, with the temperature dropping to as low as minus two to three degrees Celsius.

Widespread heavy to moderate showers over the entire North Bengal augmented the biting cold conditions. The minimum temperature in both the North Bengal districts of Siliguri and Jalpaiguri ranged between 2-3 degrees Celsius while the maximum hovered at around 10-11 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, after getting respite from the unseasonal winter rain for the past three days, Kolkatans again had to confront gusty showers today, resulting in temperatures dropping considerably.

The Alipore Met department sources said a depression had formed over North Bengal, which was sucking in moisture from the Bay of Bengal and trigerring in the unseasonal rainfall.

The minimum temperature recorded in the city was around 15.2 degrees Celsius, one degree above the normal level while the maximum was 24.7 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal.

The Met sources forecast the sky to remain overcast and light to moderate showers occurring throughout the state over the next 24 hours, with the minimum temperature remaining at around 15 degrees Celsius.

However, the sky was expected to clear from Friday onwards and people could look forward to bright sunny weather. The cloud cover lifting off the Kolkata skyline from Friday onwards would give free rein to the Northwesterly winds which would blow unhindered over the state, causing the mercury to nosedive and the characteristic winter chill returning, the sources added.

About 26.8 mm rainfall was recorded in the capital city since the past 24 hours and the maximum relative humidity was high at 94 per cent. A particularly heavy spell this afternoon resulted in the roads getting inundated and traffic snarls in several areas of the city.

Reports coming in from the districts in South Bengal also informed of cold conditions prevailing and light to moderate showers occurring in several areas.

UNI DPM KK RN1912