Bengal elections 2026 weather: Will rain disrupt poll days?

Kolkata: Will it rain during the election days in Bengal? That is the key question as West Bengal heads into a crucial two-phase polling schedule on April 23 and April 29, with volatile pre-monsoon weather already sweeping across the state.

Kalbaisakhi storms lashed several districts on Thursday, bringing widespread rain, gusty winds, and a sharp dip in temperatures.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the current spell of unstable weather will persist till Friday, after which a rapid transition to hotter and more humid conditions is expected over the weekend.

Dark clouds blanketed large parts of Gangetic West Bengal since morning, triggering steady rainfall and squally winds.

Meteorologists attribute this to a strong inflow of moisture from the Bay of Bengal, which has intensified convective activity and led to thunderstorms across both South and North Bengal.

Kolkata:

In Kolkata, the weather turned dramatically within hours. After brief sunshine early in the day, the skies darkened, followed by rain and gusty winds.

The city recorded a minimum temperature of 21.3°C, nearly 4°C below normal, while the maximum hovered around 31°C, also below seasonal averages. However, this dip in temperature is expected to be short-lived.

Stormy run-up before polls, but relief likely on voting days

• According to the IMD, scattered thunderstorms and rain will continue across all districts of South Bengal till Friday.
• Coastal districts such as East Midnapore and North and South 24 Parganas may witness gusty winds of 30–40 kmph, raising concerns over localised disruptions.
• In North Bengal, conditions remain more severe, with forecasts of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall.
• Districts like Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are under a heavy rain alert, while wind speeds could reach up to 70 kmph in some areas.
• Yet, despite this turbulent weather in the days leading up to the elections, current forecasts suggest that polling days themselves may not see significant rainfall.
• Weather experts indicate that if pre-poll showers occur as predicted, they could actually help moderate temperatures temporarily, leading to relatively more comfortable conditions on voting days.

Heat and humidity to dominate during polling phase

• From Saturday onwards, rainfall activity is expected to reduce sharply as skies clear across Bengal.  This will allow temperatures to climb again, with a likely rise of 3–4°C over the weekend.
• The return of strong sunshine, combined with high moisture levels, is expected to create hot and humid conditions, particularly in Kolkata and coastal districts.
• This shift could have a direct bearing on voter turnout. Rising daytime temperatures, dry heat in western districts, and sultry conditions in southern and coastal regions may discourage voters from stepping out during peak afternoon hours.
• Adding to the uncertainty is the typical pre-monsoon pattern of sudden afternoon thunderstorms. Even during relatively clear days, the risk of isolated Kalbaisakhi storms cannot be ruled out, potentially impacting polling logistics and voter movement.

Meteorologists point to broader trends:

1. April in Bengal has become increasingly erratic over the past five years, with higher average temperatures, fluctuating rainfall patterns, and a rise in extreme weather events such as thunderstorms and lightning.
2. In essence, while widespread rain is unlikely on the exact polling days as of now, Bengal’s election weather remains highly dynamic.
3. Voters may escape heavy showers, but will likely have to contend with rising heat, humidity, and the ever-present threat of sudden storms.
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