Minimum temperatures dipped across West Bengal on Christmas Day, with Darjeeling recording the state’s lowest at 4.5 degrees Celsius, as a spell of colder weather added a wintry edge to festive celebrations.
The India Meteorological Department said on Thursday that the mercury fell by around two degrees Celsius in several districts and is likely to drop further by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius over the next few days. Dry weather is expected to prevail across the state for the next week, though shallow to moderate fog has been forecast in all districts.
The chill was keenly felt by revellers and picnickers who stepped out in large numbers to mark Christmas across urban and rural Bengal. In the hills, Darjeeling emerged as the coldest spot, while Alipurduar in north Bengal recorded the lowest temperature in the plains at 8 degrees Celsius. Sriniketan in Birbhum followed closely at 8.5 degrees Celsius.
Other districts also reported a sharp nip in the air, with Suri recording 9 degrees Celsius, Bankura 9.1 degrees, Bardhaman 10 degrees, Cooch Behar 10.1 degrees and Baharampur 10.4 degrees, according to the IMD.
Also read: Snowfall adds charm to Christmas in Gulmarg
Kolkata logged a minimum temperature of 13.7 degrees Celsius, the lowest so far this season, offering residents a rare taste of winter on Christmas.
Churches across the state witnessed large congregations, with devotees attending special prayers during the day. In the state capital, popular public spaces such as Alipur Zoo, Victoria Memorial, the Maidan and Eco Park saw heavy footfall, while families and groups of friends headed to picnic spots to enjoy the holiday.
With winter vacations underway in schools and colleges, tourist destinations remained crowded. Seaside resorts including Digha and Mandarmani reported a surge in visitors, while hill districts such as Darjeeling and Kalimpong continued to attract tourists seeking colder climes.
Kolkata’s Park Street, illuminated with festive lights and decorations, braced for a heavy evening rush, with several restaurants stretched to capacity as diners poured in to celebrate Christmas night.
Police said adequate security arrangements were in place across the state to ensure peaceful celebrations and to prevent any untoward incidents during the festivities.
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