Winter comfort, a few days away

KOLKATA: Puja is long gone. It's mid-October. But there is no whiff of that familiar chill yet. Apart from the sultry conditions, frequent and prolonged power cuts have added to Kolkatans' woes. But you can expect better weather in a couple of days, assures the weatherman.
"Moisture in the air has been relatively high over the past few days. This is due to the northwesterly winds blowing across this region.This, coupled with high temperature, is making the weather hot and humid," said G K Das of the Regional Meteorological Centre.
Northwesterly winds are not a very regular phenomenon in the region during this time of the year. According to the Met office, once the monsoon withdraws, the region should get winds blowing from the northeast to southwest. Monsoon bid adieu to West Bengal on Thursday. But instead of northeasterly winds, northwesterly winds are blowing across the region, bringing in lots of moisture.
"This is a transitional period. In all likelihood, the wind will change direction in a couple of days and we can expect better weather soon," said Das.
According to Met office records, the relative humidity started declining from Thursday. And it will gradually slide from now on. So, Kolkatans can expect better weather from next week when both the temperature and humidity become normal or very close to normal.
The maximum and minimum temperature on Friday were 35.2°C and 26.0°C respectively. The high was two degrees above normal and the low a degree above normal. The maximum humidity was as high as 99%. Thursday's discomfort index was 59.8, 4.8 higher than normal.
It is this weather condition that is worsening the power crisis in the state. Usually, by the end of the Pujas, there is a distinct tinge of the winter in the weather and power demand is low. But this year the high heat and humidity means more people are running ACs for longer periods at a time when the plants are unable to produce enough power.
This weird weather condition is also triggering the outbreak of viral fever, say doctors. Moderate temperature coupled with high humidity facilitates viral growth, they explained.
"Most cases of fever now are the viral type. And this weather condition will aggravate the situation. Plus, social mingling in this festive season helped spread the virus," said Dr Arpan Chaudhuri, geriatrician and critical care practitioner attached to Fortis Hospital.
Every family seems to have one or two members down with a strange kind of fever that hits twice or even thrice.