Tracking Down Rain: Encounters with India's Storm-Chasers Revolutionizing Weather Observation in Bengal

Tracking Down Rain: Encounters with India's Storm-Chasers Revolutionizing Weather Observation in Bengal

The Kolkata Cloud Chasers: India's Storm-Chasing Pioneers

In the bustling city of Kolkata, West Bengal, a group of passionate individuals known as the Kolkata Cloud Chasers (KCC) have been making waves in the realm of weather observation. Founded in 2014, this group of storm chasers takes inspiration from their American counterparts, connecting with them via social media [1].

The KCC have been instrumental in advancing storm chasing and weather watching in India, particularly during the rainy season when West Bengal experiences phenomena like kalboishakhis (nor'westers) and localized storms. Their activities include tracking these storms using a combination of modern technology—such as minute-by-minute weather updates from satellites—and experiential knowledge cultivated over years, filling gaps where forecasting apps may fall short [1].

Equipment and Methods

The KCC's arsenal includes decked-out storm chase vehicles designed to safely follow and study storms on the road. They are equipped with recovery tools like winches, tow straps, and sand ladders for difficult terrain. During high-wind events or remote expeditions, members of the Kolkata Cloud Chasers use call signs like Roadrunner, Phoenix, Hellboi, Boltanator, Thunderman, Goodboy, Zeus, and Albatross over walkie-talkies [1].

Their equipment also includes high-end gear such as top-tier cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, lightning detectors, battery packs, GoPros, Insta360 cameras, DJI Pockets, mobile radios, tablets, and phones loaded with weather-tracking apps [1].

Impact and Observations

The KCC have noticed significant changes in weather patterns affecting West Bengal, such as increased intensity and frequency of lightning. They have also observed a shift in storm trajectories, with kalboishakhis now tending to bypass parts of Kolkata (like South Kolkata) and instead follow different urban routes (e.g., New Town), likely influenced by the heat island effect and urban water body loss [1].

Their efforts contribute to local visibility of extreme weather risks during the rainy season and encourage greater weather preparedness. For example, they spent hours photographing the cloud formations created by Cyclone Mocha, which brushed Bengal's coast on May 13, 2023 [1].

Context of Storms in West Bengal

West Bengal faces severe weather events including cyclones like Amphan and Yaas, which have caused extensive rainfall, flooding, and damage since 2025 [2][3]. Authorities actively monitor floods and implement flood control measures, responding to heavy rain during the monsoon season [4]. These extreme weather events underscore the importance of storm chasing for both scientific understanding and public safety.

In his song "Oi Ashe Oi Oti Bhairob Horoshe," Rabindranath Tagore, a Poet Laureate, dedicated many of his compositions to the monsoon, describing it as thrilling, immense, heavy with moisture, fragrant, earth-drenched, thick with life, dark, brooding, and magnificent [5]. The Indian monsoon has been celebrated in literature and art for thousands of years.

The KCC's journey continues as they seek out awe-inspiring moments during turbulent weather, from the misty heights of Sandakphu in the Eastern Himalayas to the salt-kissed shores of Henry Island on the Bay of Bengal [1]. Their passion for storm chasing not only captures the beauty of the weather but also helps in understanding and preparing for the changing climate in West Bengal.

[1] [Source] [2] [Source] [3] [Source] [4] [Source] [5] [Source]

1. The Kolkata Cloud Chasers' (KCC) fascination with weather extends beyond the city streets, as they venture to the misty heights of Sandakphu in the Eastern Himalayas and the salt-kissed shores of Henry Island on the Bay of Bengal.
2. As avid storm chasers, members of the KCC embrace a lifestyle heavily influenced by their passion, incorporating travel and outdoor living into their pursuit of awe-inspiring weather events.
3. clubbing their storm-chasing hobby with a knack for environmental science, the Kolkata Cloud Chasers play an essential role in monitoring climate change in West Bengal, especially during the rainy season.
4. In recent years, the KCC has observed a shift in storm trajectories, affecting popular urban areas like South Kolkata, which may be linked to the heat island effect and urban water body loss.
5. The KCC's observations contribute to scientific understanding and public safety, highlighted by their documentation of Cyclone Mocha's cloud formations in 2023.
6. Budget-travelers, adventure-travelers, and cultural-travelers alike may find an unusual blend of interests in the world of sports-betting and mixed-martial-arts, two unexpected pastimes shared by some members of the Kolkata Cloud Chasers.

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