Kaalboishakhi; the wrath of the Nature God!

If Boishakh is here, can a Kalboishakhi be far behind? 

As I write this post, I can hear the wind blowing hard against the window panes, the trees shaking in terror, dark clouds looming above, people shouting and screaming as they clear up their terrace and balcony.

Kalboishakhi is a thunderstorm which occurs during Boishakh or early April. Boishakh commences from mid April, but most Kalboishakhis start arriving from mid March onwards. Kalboishakhi, as the name implies, is a calamity of the Boishakh month.

A Kalboishakhi is hard to predict. It typically follows a very hot day. They are also known as ‘afternoon’ storms as they occur mostly in the afternoon or early evenings. Known as Norwester in other parts of the country, the storm starts with gusts of wind from the north-western direction. In simple language, they are thunderstorms accompanied with thunder, lightning and heavy shower. 

KALBOISHAKHI IN FULL FORCE

Commonly, the skies start darkening with clouds gradually, followed by a sudden increase in the velocity of wind. This rise in tempo is sudden and often captures one unaware. 

A relief during the summer season, Kalboishakhis brings respite from the oppressive heat and brings down the temperature by several notches.

This rain is very important for all the crops that are sown during this season. Proper showers are essential for the sustenance of these crops. But, they also cause widespread damage and destruction. Trees bearing fruits suffer the most as most of them are not able to bear the brunt of a Kalboishakhi. 

A Norwester is also a major threat to life and property. I remember conducting fieldwork in Bihar and Mednipur. People in those villages counted these thunderstorms as a major threat to their livelihood. Every year they have to rebuild their dwellings. Every year, they lose their valuables to a thunderstorm. Every year many people die during these storms, either due to electrocution or killed by trees that fall during such a storm.

ANOTHER SHOT OF A KALBOISHAKHI

Amongst villagers, Kalboishakhi is still a force of nature which instills fear. People worship the forces of nature to appease the Gods. They offer sacrifices in the form of animals, hoping to save themselves from the wrath of the angry God/Goddess. 

But, most of us have very fond memories of a Kalboishakhi. Getting wet in the rain, picking up mango and other fruits that have fallen off the trees, power cuts which prevented us from studying are some of the exciting memories associated with this calamity. A Kalboishakhi today, no matter where we are, still brings back those beautiful memories of our childhood.