As the scorching heatwave tightens its grip on West Bengal, residents find themselves grappling with soaring temperatures reminiscent of Rajasthan's arid desert region. Meteorologists have sounded the alarm, issuing an extreme heatwave warning across several districts in the western part of the state.

Reports indicate that Kolkata is experiencing an unprecedented spell of hot weather for April, a phenomenon not witnessed in the past half-century. On Sunday, temperatures soared to a staggering 45.1 degrees Celsius in Panagad, West Burdwan, marking an alarming deviation of 8 degrees from the norm. Similarly, Bankura registered a sweltering 44 degrees, while Kalaikunda in West Midnipur recorded 43.6 degrees. Even the bustling city of Kolkata saw the mercury breach the 40-degree mark.

In response to the intensifying heatwave, authorities have issued extreme heatwave warnings in six districts, spanning the next seven days. Additionally, the Meteorological Department has raised a red alert across four states, including West Bengal, along with Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

Record-breaking temperatures of 45 degrees were documented in multiple districts of West Bengal and Odisha, underscoring the severity of the prevailing heatwave. Several other states, including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Gujarat, and Maharashtra, have also recorded temperatures nearing the 42-degree mark.

Meteorologists predict that the oppressive conditions are likely to persist for the next 3 to 4 days, with a red alert issued until Wednesday. Historical data reveals that such extreme heatwaves have been sporadic occurrences in West Bengal, with instances recorded in 1980, 2013, 2016, and 2023. Despite a slight decrease in temperatures by 1-2 degrees Celsius expected by Tuesday, the discomfort is anticipated to persist.

Saureesh Bandyopadhyay, a meteorologist at the Alipore Meteorological Department, emphasized that the duration of the heatwave's persistence in Kolkata and South Bengal will become clearer in the coming days. While the likelihood of light rain in Odisha-bordering districts offers a glimmer of hope, experts caution that the respite may be short-lived.

With heatwave conditions persisting longer into April compared to previous years, meteorologists stress the importance of staying vigilant and taking necessary precautions to mitigate the impact of the sweltering temperatures. As communities brace themselves for the days ahead, attention remains focused on monitoring the evolving weather patterns and their potential ramifications across the region.