Tue Jan 06 05:00:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Cold Wave Grips Kolkata and South Bengal, Alert Issued

The Story:
Kolkata and surrounding areas in South Bengal are experiencing a significant drop in temperature. The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued an alert, forecasting a further decrease in minimum temperatures over the next two nights in South Bengal. A yellow alert for cold days has been issued for East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia districts. Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2 degrees Celsius in the last 24 hours, while Dum Dum saw a minimum of 9.5 degrees Celsius. Dense fog blankets vast areas of Kolkata and South Bengal. While a slight increase in minimum temperatures is expected in the coming days, the chill is predicted to persist.

Key Points:

  • Kolkata and South Bengal are experiencing a cold wave.
  • The Alipore Meteorological Department has issued a cold weather alert.
  • Minimum temperature in Kolkata fell to 10.2 degrees Celsius, and 9.5 degrees Celsius in Dum Dum.
  • A yellow alert for cold days is in effect for several districts in South Bengal.
  • Dense fog is affecting the region.
  • North Bengal is also experiencing colder than usual daytime highs and potential for dense fog.
  • Kolkata’s minimum temperature is expected to fluctuate between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius in the coming week.
  • Dum Dum’s minimum temperature is expected to be about 1 degree lower than Kolkata’s.

Critical Analysis:

The historical context provides various weather-related news from around the world on January 6th, 2026, including winter storm warnings in the US. While seemingly unrelated, this broader context of global weather events suggests that large-scale atmospheric patterns might be contributing to the specific weather conditions in Kolkata. It’s possible that similar global weather patterns are influencing the cold wave gripping Kolkata.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cold wave in Kolkata and South Bengal is significant enough to warrant an official alert.
  • The meteorological department is closely monitoring the temperature fluctuations and providing forecasts.
  • The presence of dense fog adds to the impact of the cold weather.
  • While not explicitly stated, vulnerable populations (the elderly, the homeless) are likely most at risk during this period.
  • The cold weather is expected to continue for at least a week.

Impact Analysis:

The cold wave is likely to impact daily life in Kolkata and South Bengal. Potential impacts include:

  • Health: Increased risk of respiratory illnesses, hypothermia, and other cold-related ailments, especially among vulnerable populations.
  • Transportation: Dense fog may disrupt transportation schedules, particularly air and rail travel.
  • Agriculture: Cold weather and fog can affect crop yields.
  • Energy Consumption: Increased demand for heating may strain energy resources.

Longer-term, consistent cold weather events, especially if they become more frequent or severe, may require adaptation strategies and infrastructure improvements to mitigate the impacts on public health, the economy, and the environment.

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