Kolkata, Dec 31: A sharp cold wave has tightened its grip over West Bengal, bringing dense fog, falling temperatures and deteriorating air quality, disrupting daily life across the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the cold spell is likely to persist throughout the week, with foggy conditions continuing to affect visibility and travel.
Kolkata records coldest December morning Kolkata recorded its coldest December morning of the season, with minimum temperatures dipping to around 13–14 degrees Celsius.
The maximum temperature hovered between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. Moderate to dense fog reduced visibility during the early morning hours.
According to the IMD, foggy mornings are expected to continue until at least January 3, while New Year’s Day may see minimum temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius.
Sub-Himalayan districts shiver; snowfall possible The cold wave intensified in the sub-Himalayan districts, where temperatures dropped significantly.
Darjeeling recorded a minimum temperature of 5.4 degrees Celsius, raising the possibility of light snowfall in higher reaches. Coochbehar registered a low of 14.3 degrees Celsius, while Bankura reported a chilly 9.3 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has issued dense fog warnings for northern districts, including Darjeeling, Coochbehar and North Dinajpur, valid through December 31.
Kolkata air quality turns severe Air quality in Kolkata deteriorated sharply, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the severe category amid falling temperatures and dense fog. The worsening pollution levels have raised health concerns, especially for children, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory ailments.
Dense fog disrupts visibility and travel Dense fog enveloped large parts of the state, with visibility dropping to as low as 50–200 metres in several areas during morning hours.
The IMD said foggy conditions are likely to persist during night-time and early mornings over the next few days, with visibility possibly deteriorating further as temperatures continue to fall.
The ongoing fog spell is expected to disrupt air, rail and road traffic. Flight and train delays cannot be ruled out, while motorists have been advised to exercise caution, particularly during early morning and late-night hours.
