Ever experienced a scorching afternoon suddenly turn dark and wild? That's a Kal Baisakhi brewing!

These dramatic weather events are intense thunderstorms with strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes even hail. They typically happen during the hot summer months of April and May, across the eastern and northeastern parts of India.

States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura as well as neighboring Bangladesh all experience Kal Baisakhi.

The reason for these storms is a clash of hot and cold air. Hot air rises from the Chhotanagpur Plateau, while cool, moist air blows in from the Bay of Bengal. This mix creates instability in the atmosphere, leading to the sudden bursts of wind, rain, and lightning we know as Kal Baisakhi.

While Kal Baisakhi can damage trees and disrupt power, these events also bring much-needed relief from the heat and provide vital pre-monsoon showers for crops like jute and paddy.