After 14 deaths last April, greens raise poll-time weather concerns

Kolkata: As Bengal prepares for the two-phase Assembly elections amid a wider multi-state polling exercise in April 2026, rising climate risks are emerging as a serious concern for voter safety and election management, according to a detailed report prepared by environmental think tank Climate Trends. The polls coincide with the pre-monsoon season, a period increasingly marked by volatile weather patterns across eastern India. In April 2025 alone, the state recorded at least 14 deaths due to extreme weather events, including heatwaves and lightning strikes. Experts warn that such incidents may become more frequent as climate change intensifies seasonal extremes.This time of year is typically associated with nor'westers, locally known as Kalbaisakhi, which are violent but short-lived thunderstorms with strong winds, heavy rainfall and lightning. However, what was once considered a predictable seasonal feature is now turning erratic."April weather is no longer stable. We are seeing hotter days, warmer nights and more unpredictable storm activity," said Mahesh Palawat, vice-president, Meteorology and Climate Change, Skymet Weather. "These evolving climate conditions could directly impact elections through reduced voter turnout, health risks and operational disruptions."Recent data from India Meteorological Department (IMD) shows a clear trend: April temperatures have remained consistently above normal over the past five years, with 2022 among the warmest on record. Rainfall patterns have also grown erratic, swinging between severe deficits and sudden heavy downpours, while thunderstorms and lightning events have intensified.For election authorities, this translates into a complex logistical challenge. With over 2.2 lakh polling stations and lakhs of personnel deployed across states, extreme weather could disrupt transport, damage infrastructure and endanger lives.Former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat noted that some climate-sensitive measures are already in place. "The EC schedules voting early in the morning and extends it into the evening to avoid peak heat. Facilities like queue monitoring and home voting options for vulnerable groups are also being introduced," he said.However, experts argued these steps might not be enough, calling for SOPs that integrate real-time weather forecast, coordination with disaster management agencies, and contingency plans for polling disruptions.Climate scientist Roxy Mathew Koll of Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology highlighted the broader drivers behind these changes. "Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal have warmed significantly, altering moisture patterns and increasing atmospheric instability. This has created favourable conditions for intense pre-monsoon storms," he said.Forecast for the poll period says Bengal may see scattered rainfall and thunderstorms while Assam could experience widespread thundershowers. Southern states must brace for heat and humidity.