Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 10.2°C, marking one of its coldest January mornings in recent years.
The chill did not end at sunrise. Kolkata saw an unusually cold start to the week as daytime temperatures also dropped sharply. Afternoon warmth stayed well below seasonal norms. As a result, winter discomfort stretched across the entire day, catching residents off guard and deepening the impact beyond early mornings and late nights.
January usually brings cool nights and mild afternoons. This time, both ends of the temperature scale dipped. While night-time readings fell below long-term averages, maximum temperatures also slipped to levels rarely seen during daylight hours in early January. Even though the situation did not meet the technical definition of a cold wave, the lack of daytime recovery made the cold feel harsher.
Why did the cold feel so intense
First, strong northwesterly winds carried cold surface air into southern Bengal. Next, clear skies at night allowed rapid heat loss from the ground. At the same time, dry air limited moisture, speeding up cooling. Meanwhile, residual moisture from a departing western disturbance created temperature inversions. This trapped cold air close to the ground and reduced daytime heating. Together, these factors kept the city cold from dawn to dusk.
Areas beyond the city also felt it
The cold extended well beyond Kolkata. Several districts in southern Bengal recorded single-digit night temperatures. Hill regions reported near-freezing conditions. Northern districts experienced dense fog, which disrupted visibility and delayed transport services. The wider regional spread reinforced the sense of an unusual winter phase.
Impact on daily life and work
The prolonged chill affected routine life across the city. Schools reopened after the winter break just as temperatures dipped, forcing families to adapt overnight. Children and elderly residents stepped out bundled in layers. Informal workers, street vendors, and daily wage earners felt the impact more sharply as outdoor activity slowed. Some vendors saw a short-term rise in demand for hot beverages and street food, even as overall footfall declined in other sectors.
Housing and infrastructure challenges
Urban climate experts point out that dense, humid cities like Kolkata are not built for prolonged cold. Housing stock offers little insulation. Public spaces lack warming facilities. In informal settlements, residents turned to small fires and temporary heating despite safety risks. These responses highlighted gaps in neighbourhood-level cold-weather preparedness.
Health concerns during a sustained cold
Extended exposure to low temperatures increases the risk of respiratory infections, joint pain and chest discomfort. Elderly people, infants, and those with heart or lung conditions remain the most vulnerable. Doctors usually advise limiting early-morning exposure, wearing layered clothing and keeping the body warm throughout the day, not just at night.
Why this episode matters for urban planning
This cold spell may not rank as extreme nationally, yet its impact on Kolkata was disproportionate. It underlined how weather variability now intersects directly with urban resilience. Cities often plan for heatwaves and flooding, but cold stress receives less attention. Experts argue that adaptive steps like better shelter design, community warming spaces, and clearer early-warning communication can reduce social and health impacts during sudden temperature swings.
What lies ahead
Forecasts suggest night-time temperatures may dip further in the short term, while daytime conditions should stabilise gradually later in the week. Even so, the recent chill has already triggered a broader discussion on preparedness for less frequent but disruptive weather events.
Bottom line
Kolkata’s 10.2°C morning was rare. The unusually cold afternoons made it harder. Together, they turned an ordinary winter week into a citywide stress test. As climate patterns grow less predictable, this episode serves as a reminder that people-first planning must prepare for both heat and cold to protect health, livelihoods and daily urban life.
