Maximum and lowest temperatures in south Bengal districts are one to three degrees above average as a result of the spell, and may rise somewhat over the next few days, according to IMD eastern area head Sanjib Bandopadhyay.
Heatwave conditions may also emerge in some portions of south Bengal and the Malda district of north Bengal, he warned. According to the IMD, the maximum temperature recorded in the city on Tuesday was 38.6 degrees Celsius, while the lowest was 28.6 degrees, all three degrees above average.
"Temperatures in south Bengal will remain one to three degrees above normal, causing discomfort among people," Bandopadhyay warned.
The hot and dry weather may have an impact on human health as well as the agricultural sector, he added, advising people to take precautions such as drinking plenty of water and staying indoors from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., among other things.
Rain fell in Kolkata and other parts of south Bengal in the latter week of March, causing day and night temperatures to climb.