The Kolkata Cold Wave 2025 and 2026 marked the chilliest year‑end in over a decade. As December closed, the city’s maximum temperature dipped significantly below normal, leaving residents shivering through foggy mornings and cloudy afternoons. On December 31, 2025, the maximum temperature was just 20.1°C, while the minimum slid to 11°C, making it the coldest year‑end since 2015. The chill was compounded by easterly winds, fog, and low‑level clouds, which blocked sunlight for hours.
2. Meteorological Highlights
- Mean maximum temperature for December: 24.1°C (lowest in a decade).
- Usual December maximum: ~25°C.
- December 16–31 average maximum: 22.4°C.
- December 29–30 maximum: below 20°C.
- December 31 minimum: 11°C (coldest year‑end in 10+ years).
- January 1 minimum: 11.6°C (coldest New Year’s Day in 15 years).
3. Causes of the Chill
- Fog and low‑level clouds: Blocked sunlight during mornings.
- Easterly winds: Helped formation of fog and clouds.
- Northwesterly winds: Gained strength near the surface, dragging temperatures down.
- Western Disturbance (WD): Active system over northwest Uttar Pradesh raised temperatures slightly after January 1.
4. Impact on Daily Life
- Residents lit small fires at Esplanade and other public places.
- Morning walkers reported numbness in hands and feet.
- Street vendors struggled with fewer customers in the cold.
- Schools and offices saw lower attendance during peak chill days.
- Hospitals reported a rise in cases of respiratory illness and joint pain.
5. Kolkata Cold Wave 2025 and 2026: Governance Challenges
The cold wave reflects:
- Need for better forecasting and public advisories.
- Urban vulnerability due to poor housing insulation.
- Limited preparedness for cold spells compared to heat waves.
- Public health strain from seasonal illnesses.
6. Government External Links for Assistance
- India Meteorological Department (IMD): https://mausam.imd.gov.in
- Government of West Bengal: https://wb.gov.in
- Ministry of Earth Sciences: https://moes.gov.in
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): https://ndma.gov.in
7. Historical Context of Cold Waves in Kolkata
- 2010: Minimum dipped to 9°C, one of the coldest in recent memory.
- 2013–14: Successive Western Disturbances kept temperatures fluctuating.
- 2015: Last comparable cold year‑end before 2025.
- 2020s: Winters became milder, making the 2025–26 chill more striking.
8. Community Impact
- Families huddled indoors with heaters and blankets.
- Street dwellers relied on NGO‑distributed woollens.
- Tourism in Darjeeling and Sandakphu surged due to snowfall.
- Farmers in South Bengal reported crop stress from frost.
9. Global Comparisons
Similar cold waves worldwide:
- London: Fog and frost disrupt transport during year‑end.
- Tokyo: Cold spells linked to Siberian winds.
- New York: Arctic blasts cause sub‑zero temperatures.
Kolkata’s case mirrors these global struggles where urban centres adapt to sudden winter extremes.
10. Governance Lessons
The cold wave teaches:
- Seasonal preparedness must include both heat and cold waves.
- Public advisories should reach vulnerable groups.
- Housing upgrades can reduce exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Climate resilience planning is essential for cities facing unpredictable weather.
11. Future Outlook – Climate Resilience in Bengal
India must move towards:
- Smart weather monitoring systems in cities.
- Community shelters for street dwellers during cold waves.
- Integration of climate data into urban planning.
- Public health campaigns to mitigate seasonal illness.
12. Conclusion
The Kolkata cold wave 2025–26 was more than a meteorological anomaly—it was a reminder of the city’s vulnerability to climate extremes. With temperatures plunging to decade‑low levels, residents experienced both discomfort and resilience. For Bengal, the lesson is clear: urban governance must prepare for all seasons, ensuring that cold waves are treated with the same seriousness as heat waves.
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