11

West Bengal is currently experiencing a severe cold wave, with dense fog and plunging temperatures disrupting daily life across the state. Air quality has deteriorated sharply, while sub-Himalayan districts are witnessing even lower temperatures. Light snowfall is also possible in higher reaches. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that the cold spell is likely to persist throughout the week, with foggy conditions significantly affecting visibility and travel.

Kolkata recorded its coldest December morning this winter, with the minimum temperature dipping to 11°C on the last day of 2025 — the coldest year-end in over a decade. Dum Dum recorded 10°C, while Sriniketan in Bolpur shivered at 6.5°C. Several areas in Birbhum, Bankura, and West Burdwan reported temperatures below 10°C. Darjeeling emerged as the coldest location in the state, with the mercury dropping to 4°C.

Dense fog blanketed large parts of West Bengal, reducing visibility to as low as 50–200 metres during morning hours. As temperatures fell and fog intensified, air quality worsened sharply across the state. Kolkata’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 254, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. This deterioration has raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

Studies indicate that this winter presents a dangerous triple threat to lung health — cold weather, viral infections, and high humidity. Globally, winter respiratory infections are on the rise, with influenza activity increasing steadily since early October in many regions. Cold temperatures constrict airways, making breathing more difficult and triggering wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness, especially among asthma and COPD patients. These symptoms often worsen when combined with winter respiratory infections.

At the same time, common viruses such as influenza, RSV, and other respiratory pathogens peak during winter, leading to increased infections, hospitalisations, and complications. High humidity — particularly levels above 60% — thickens mucus, increases airway resistance, and promotes the growth of mould and dust mites, further aggravating inflamed airways and breathing difficulties.

Modelling data for the winter of 2024–2025 suggests that influenza-related hospital admissions may be the highest since the pandemic in some health systems, underscoring the seriousness of winter respiratory illnesses. These risks are especially relevant in India, where humidity, pollution, and viral infections often converge during the colder months.

Dr Arghya Bandyopadhyay, geriatrician and physician, shared expert advice with BE on staying healthy and safe during the coldest winter of the decade. “First, get vaccinated with annual flu shots and pneumococcal vaccines, which are crucial for high-risk groups such as children and the elderly before and during peak winter months. Second, avoid overcrowding — stay indoors with fewer than four people in closed spaces — and maintain indoor humidity between 30% and 50% to prevent both airway dryness and excessive dampness that encourages mould and dust mites. Third, practise strict hygiene, including regular handwashing, use of alcohol-based sanitisers, wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses. Finally, follow a balanced diet rich in fruits and green vegetables, stay adequately hydrated, engage in regular physical and breathing exercises such as morning walks when sunlight is visible to avoid smog, and ensure 7–9 hours of sleep to strengthen the body’s defence against winter lung infections,” Dr Bandyopadhyay advised.

Physicians also urge people to seek immediate medical attention if they experience persistent cough, high fever, chest pain, rapid or difficult breathing, worsening wheezing, or low oxygen levels as measured by a pulse oximeter. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious complications such as severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and the need for hospitalisation — particularly among asthma and COPD patients.

As West Bengal endures one of its coldest winters in recent memory, taking timely precautions and remaining vigilant about health risks is essential to staying safe during this challenging season.