People in the southern districts of West Bengal are likely to get a respite from the sweltering heat that has been prevailing for the last several days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting thunderstorms and rain from Wednesday (May 27, 2026).

The IMD said there will be a gradual fall in maximum temperature across West Bengal from Thursday (May 28, 2026) by two to three notches. Residents of the western districts of Purulia and Paschim Bardhaman suffered from scorching heat, with day temperatures in Purulia town and Panagarh crossing 41°C.

The Met office said that the soaring mercury level will continue for the next two days, after which people are likely to get a respite with the maximum temperatures going down due to thunderstorms and rain. Night temperatures in several parts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, remained above normal, adding to the discomfort of the people in the region.

The north Bengal districts were, however, cooler with light to moderate rain recorded at several places. Raiganj recorded the highest rainfall at 74.8 mm in 24 hours till 8.30 am on Monday (May 25, 2026), followed by Balurghat (66 mm), Jhalong (66 mm), Kumargram (51.4 mm), Lava (26 mm), Alipurduar (17.2 mm) and Dalgaon (16.2 mm), the IMD data said.

Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 30°C on Monday (May 25, 2026), three notches higher than normal, the Met office said, forecasting the possibility of thunderstorms in some areas of the metropolis in the evening.