Following the heat wave, The Meteorological Department has issued a severe heat wave warning for the city of Kolkata and its surrounding areas as temperatures continue to soar on Tuesday, 6 June. With the mercury rising to unprecedented levels, residents are urged to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illness.

The temperature in Kolkata is forecast to stay below 40 degrees Celsius, which is too low to formally qualify as a heatwave. However, RMC director G K Das claimed that a temperature in Kolkata between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius for the remainder of the week will have the same real-world effects on human health as a heatwave.

“We commonly encounter sporadic thundershowers throughout the pre-monsoon season. We are currently seeing a heatwave and a protracted dry spell, which is unusual, according to Das. This week, there is a chance of showers in Kolkata’s adjacent districts of North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, which will keep the city’s maximum temperature below 39.5°. On Wednesday, a slim likelihood of a thunderstorm in the capital might be countered by a heatwave in Howrah and Hooghly.

The alert warned that vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, those with chronic illnesses, and people who work outside, could be at moderate risk from the heat. Exposure to the outdoors has been discouraged, particularly between 11am and 4pm, when the risk of experiencing a heat cramp is at its peak.

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are the most frequent ailments during a heatwave or urban heat island effects, according to pulmonologist Arup Haldar. Around this time of year, we see a large number of elderly patients who have been hospitalised because of dehydration brought on by incorrect electrologist control. While going outside, it’s crucial to continue drinking water or other rehydrating beverages and to use safety equipment like umbrellas and sunglasses. Haldar also emphasised the importance of staying hydrated and protecting oneself from the heat indoors.

The prevalent warmth, according to the RMC’s advisory, was brought on by a dry westerly wind. The last thunderstorm to hit Kolkata was on May 27.