KOLKATA: Kolkata and several parts of West Bengal on Monday woke up to a blanket of fog, with temperatures dropping further and cold conditions intensifying towards the end of the year.
The minimum temperature in Kolkata settled at 13.5 degrees Celsius, 0.3 degrees below normal. On Sunday, the minimum temperature had stood at 14 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature also failed to rise beyond 21.4 degrees Celsius, around four degrees below normal, adding to the chill. Frequent temperature fluctuations, coupled with high levels of air pollution, are posing health risks, particularly for elderly people and children.
Speaking to IANS, environmentalist Somendra Mohan Ghosh said rapid variations in temperature along with dense smog have led to a spike in air pollution, adversely impacting public health.