GONE WITH THE WINDS: A BIZARRE SPECTACLE OF NATURE (KALABAISHAKHI)

 

GONE WITH THE WINDS: A BIZARRE SPECTACLE OF NATURE

Nikunja Bihari Sahu

       On a hot and humid summer afternoon, a sudden gust of wind often sweeps across the countryside of Odisha followed by dark, ominous clouds gathering in the sky. Soon, heavy rain pours down, accompanied by hailstones and increasingly fierce winds. Trees are uprooted and thatched roofs are blown high into the air. However, after a brief spell of nature's fury, the winds gradually subside and the rain ceases. This is Kalbaishakhi, a dramatic expression of nature’s power in our rural landscape.

      Equally vivid is the cherished memory of villagers, especially children, rushing to mango orchards in the aftermath of the winds to collect the mangoes brought down by the winds. These moments still remain alive in our hearts and are deeply woven into the fabric of Odia rural life. Kalbaishakhi stands as both a terrifying display of nature’s fury and a source of pure childhood joy, blending fear and delight in a way that generations continue to remember fondly.

      Some days ago, the capital city of Bhubaneswar (and many parts of our coastal districts) witnessed a typical Kalbaishakhi. On a sweltering summer afternoon, dark clouds gathered rapidly and gale winds swept across the city  accompanied by heavy rain, and hailstones. Despite its brief duration, the storm left a trail of destruction, uprooting trees, damaging hoardings, and disrupting power and normal life across several areas.

    Kalbaishakhi, also known as Nor'westers, is a localized but intense weather phenomenon that frequently affects the eastern and northeastern parts of India, including Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Assam, and Tripura. These violent pre-monsoon thunderstorms are characterized by sudden squalls, lightning, torrential rain, and often hailstorms. In Odisha, the phenomenon is popularly known as Kalbaishakhi because it commonly occurs during the hot month of Baisakha (April–May) in the traditional Odia calendar. Although most frequent during Baisakha, these winds generally prevail from April until early June, bringing much-needed relief from the oppressive summer heat while occasionally causing significant damage to crops, trees, houses and public infrastructure. Another significant hazard during Kalbaishakhi is the lightning strike that claim many lives in villages. Despite its destructive potential, Kalbaishakhi winds have long been an integral part of rural life and collective memory, heralding the transition from the scorching summer season to the eagerly awaited monsoon.

     The weather phenomenon has a humble beginning from   the Chotanagpur plateau region between the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, which gradually strengthens and moves northeastward towards Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. The gusty  wind speed is usually 50 to 60 km/hr while at times it could reach  an awesome figure  of 100 km/hr. The gale wind is accompanied by torrential rains and hail. It also enters Bangladesh and causes extensive damage.

    Despite its devastating effects, it proves boons for the people. It helps in keeping the weather cool by reducing the ambient temperature that gives people relief from the scorching heat in our villages often plagued by frequent power cuts. The rains of Kalbaisakhi prove to be beneficial  for Kharif crops like the paddy  and jute . It also keeps the dry soil moist, which helps in agriculture. The sky becomes clear as the dust particles dispersed in the wind settle to the ground in the rain. Further, the air borne insects that damage crops   perish in the winds.

   Special precautions should be taken to prevent loss of life during the onslaught of Kalbaisakhi. Never take shelter under trees during Gale-force winds as strong gusts can easily uproot mature trees and snap large branches. To avoid lightning strikes during this period, people should not take shelter under tin houses, metal sheds  or electric poles  since lightning could easily strike metallic and conducting  objects. Further, as the power supply is likely to be disrupted during the  winds, it is important to stay  prepared with  necessary provisions like flash lights, fully charged power banks, dry food and drinking water.

        However, the situation has changed now. This phenomenon is becoming infrequent and becoming stronger, causing more destruction. The number of Kalbaisakhis has decreased more than expected over the years. Climatologists are mainly blaming the climate change and atmospheric pollution as the main culprits. Due to atmospheric pollution, pollutants from the surface of the earth are rising in strong upward air currents and reaching the low-altitude cumulonimbus dark clouds, the cradle of these rains. This is causing these   clouds to shrink in size, reducing their water bearing capacity.

      If the present trend continues, a day will come when Kalbaishakhi, this unique and remarkable spectacle of nature, so deeply intertwined with our culture and memories, will gradually fade into oblivion. What was once a familiar herald of the summer season, with its dramatic winds, thunderous skies, and life-giving showers, may survive only in stories and folklore. Future generations may know Kalbaishakhi not as a living experience but as a distant legend, a cherished tale narrated by their grandparents  about a natural phenomenon that once shaped the rhythm of life in our villages. Its disappearance would signify not merely the loss of a weather event, but the fading of a precious part of our natural and cultural heritage!

 

Education Officer

Regional Science Centre

Bhubaneswar