Tracking Down the Rain: Encounters with India's Weather Pursuers Reinventing Weather Monitoring in Bengal
The Kolkata Cloud Chasers (KCC), a group of enthusiastic storm chasers based in Kolkata, India, have been redefining weather watching in the country since their formation in 2014. Inspired by American tornado chasers they met through social media, the KCC are a tight-knit community of sky-watchers who travel far and wide to witness awe-inspiring moments during turbulent weather.
During the rainy season in West Bengal, the KCC engage in several activities. They actively track and document weather phenomena such as *kalboishakhis* (nor'westers) and localized storms. These storms are often more intense and frequent, and the group studies their patterns and impacts.
The KCC also collect data and observations on weather patterns, noting changes over the years. This includes observing shifts in storm trajectories and the increasing intensity of lightning strikes. Their community engagement attracts attention wherever they go, often stopping with their equipped storm chase vehicles.
Through their experiences, the KCC aim to raise awareness about weather patterns and the importance of accurate forecasting. They share their knowledge gained from years of basic weather observation, which helps in situations where modern forecasting tools fail.
The KCC's custom "chase vehicles," called SCIFs (Storm and Cloud Chasing Four-Wheelers), are outfitted with recovery tools like winches, tow straps, and sand ladders for difficult terrain. The group uses high-end gear, including top-tier cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, lightning detectors, battery packs, GoPros, Insta360 cameras, DJI Pockets, and video gear for vlogs, during their storm chases. They also use mobile radios, tablets, and phones loaded with weather-tracking apps for communication.
During high-wind events or remote expeditions, the members of the KCC use call signs like Roadrunner, Phoenix, Hellboi, Boltanator, Thunderman, Goodboy, Zeus, and Albatross over walkie-talkies. The group's members hail from diverse professional backgrounds such as freelance photographers, digital marketing professionals, and IT consultants.
In April 2023, the KCC chased a thunderstorm near Bardhaman, a storm hotspot north of Kolkata. They also set out early for Henry Island, West Bengal's southernmost beach near the Bangladesh border, to witness the dramatic cloud formations caused by Cyclone Mocha. During their visit to Henry Island, they spent hours photographing the evolving clouds and saw dramatic skies, including a distant rain shaft.
The Indian monsoon has been celebrated for its majesty and drama in various works of art, with Rabindranath Tagore, the Poet Laureate, dedicating many of his compositions to the monsoon. In his song "Oi Ashe Oi Oti Bhairob Horoshe," Tagore writes about the monsoon clouds as thrilling, immense, heavy with moisture, fragrant, earth-drenched, thick with life, dark, brooding, and magnificent. The KCC's activities continue to reflect this awe and appreciation for the monsoon and the weather phenomena it brings.
The KCC, during their travels, aim to capture the essence of the Indian monsoon's dramatic weather through their photography and videography in various home-and-garden and travel destinations across West Bengal. For instance, they documented the thrilling cloud formations during their visit to Henry-Island, West Bengal's southernmost beach, resembling the brooding and magnificent images often portrayed in Rabindranath Tagore's poetry.
After capturing these awe-inspiring moments during their expeditions, the KCC members utilize their sophisticated lifestyle equipment, including top-tier cameras, post-processing software, and social media platforms, to share their experiences and educate others about weather patterns and their potential impacts on home-and-garden and travel plans.
