[First posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006]
It reminds me of a tv ad that shows an egg accidentally dropped, turning into an instant omelet on the bonnet of a car stranded in a Mumbai thoroughfare on a sizzling afternoon. Kolkata isn’t that hot yet, but uncomfortably warm for February.
Sunday’s temperature climbed to 38.1 degrees, supposed to be warmest in this time of year since metrological records being kept. The reason is said to be absence of sufficient moisture in air. According to pundits, since there’s no moist shield, sun rays are ‘directly hitting’, hence the unusual rise in temperature.
In metrological parlance, there has to occur ‘western disturbance’ that should create moisture in air, which in this year is conspicuously absent thus far. Ironically, a higher humidity not only makes heat less bearable, it also makes you sweat more. Before onset of summer, heavy moisture content in these parts often convert to sporadic showers bringing relief.
The fact is there’s perceptible concern that frequent climatic changes are indicative of global warming. Which is why, one argues, there have been cataclysmic nature’s fury over the past year all over the globe.
Many scientists opine the scale has forever tilted toward permanent climatic changes and that can result into unimaginable events leading to disastrous consequences. One only prays this is not so!
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