The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of severe heat wave conditions for several districts in South Bengal. Temperatures have already exceeded 45 degrees Celsius in some areas, with Panagarh in West Burdwan recording the highest of 42.7 degrees Celsius, a significant 6.6 degrees above normal. Other affected districts include Malda, Balurghat, Kolkata, Uluberia, Midnapore, Canning, Magra, Kalaikunda, Burdwan, Barrackpore, and Suri.
According to IMD experts, dry winds from western and north-western India are causing the extreme heat, which is expected to persist until around April 28th. Severe heat wave conditions are anticipated in East Midnapore, West Midnapore, West Burdwan, Jhargram, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Bankura until Sunday. Heat wave conditions are likely in other districts as well.
Heat waves occur when day temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius and are at least 4.5 degrees above the climatic normal, while severe heat waves are defined by temperatures at least 6.4 degrees above normal or exceeding 47 degrees Celsius. Several districts in southern West Bengal have been experiencing heat wave conditions since last week, including Bankura, where temperatures reached 44.5 degrees Celsius on April 21st, and Panagarh, where temperatures exceeded 45 degrees Celsius on April 20th, more than eight degrees above normal.
The extreme heat has forced the West Bengal government to announce an early summer break for state-run schools starting from April 22nd, instead of the originally scheduled May 5th.
