KOLKATA: Warm winds singed the city on Monday and pushed the mercury up to 40.6°C — the highest maximum temperature of the season so far. It was also the highest recorded in June since at least 2005 and was 7°C above the normal mark.A moderate heat wave is sweeping through south Bengal and Kolkata, courtesy westerly winds that have been flowing in from north India. It is unusual for the temperature to shoot past the 40°C after the onset of monsoon, said the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC). According to a private weather forecasting service, Kolkata’s RealFeel temperature reached 46°C on Monday afternoon.Three factors are responsible for the late mercury surge. First, the monsoon currents have turned weak and have remained virtually static since last week, according to Sanjib Bandyopadhyay, deputy director general of meteorology. “Secondly, strong westerly winds are flowing in from north India in the absence of monsoon current. Most of the regions from where the scorching winds are coming are yet to be hit by monsoon. Finally, there is no system in the Bay of Bengal that can trigger rain and pull the mercury down,” said Bandyopadhyay.He added that the monsoon current slowdown was the single biggest trigger for the scorching spell. “Had the currents moved, the westerly would have been cut off. But since they aren’t, there is nothing to resist the flow of the westerly,” he said.The heat-wave conditions were likely to prevail for at least 48 hours more. Several south Bengal districts recorded a maximum temperature of above 40°C. While Bankura recorded 42.4°C, Purulia clocked 40.7°C and Burdwan 41.8°C.Monday’s temperature was the highest recorded in the city in June since at least 2005. In 2012, the mercury had crossed the 40°C mark on three consecutive days, between June 5 and 7. But the temperature hadn’t crossed 40.2°C during that spell.Those who had to venture out on Monday had a trying time. With humidity remaining a moderate 65%, it remained uncomfortable throughout the day. “Till last week, the heat was dry since humidity was lower. On Monday, however, it was not just the heat but the humidity, which made the conditions stifling,” said a weather scientist.

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