Bengal’s Chill Continues: City Cold, Hills Colder

Kolkata’s cold wave persisted on Wednesday with the minimum temperature settling at 10.3°C, barely above Tuesday’s 10.2°C, which was the city’s coldest January day in 12 years. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that northerly winds and dense fog have kept temperatures well below seasonal averages, with no immediate relief expected.  

Darjeeling, meanwhile, reported freezing conditions, with temperatures dipping below zero, intensifying the winter chill in the hill districts. The IMD has forecast that cold wave conditions will continue across South Bengal and sub-Himalayan West Bengal, with shallow fog and biting winds likely to persist through the week.  

Key Highlights  

• Kolkata minimum temperature at 10.3°C, just 0.1°C above Tuesday’s record low  
• Tuesday marked the coldest January day in 12 years at 10.2°C  
• Darjeeling shivers under sub-zero temperatures amid severe cold wave  
• Dense fog and northerly winds keep Bengal’s temperatures below normal  
• IMD forecasts continued cold wave across South and North Bengal this week  

Final Takeaway  
The marginal rise in Kolkata’s minimum temperature offers little respite as Bengal remains gripped by an intense cold wave. With Darjeeling freezing and Kolkata battling near-record lows, residents are bracing for more days of biting chill and fog-laden mornings.  

Sources: India Meteorological Department, The Indian Express, Times Now, Outlook India