Hunting Monsoons in Bengal: Get Introduced to the Weather Watchers Revolutionizing Observation Strategies in India
In the heart of India, a passionate group of storm chasers and extreme weather photographers known as the Kolkata Cloud Chasers have been capturing the drama and majesty of the Indian monsoon for years. Based in Kolkata, these adventurers track, chase, and document storms, clouds, and lightning primarily during the monsoon season.
The Kolkata Cloud Chasers were inspired by American tornado chasers and formed in 2014. Since then, they have honed their skills in monitoring Bengal's stormy skies using a combination of high-end photographic gear and advanced weather tracking technology. Their expertise ranges from using professional cameras, various lenses, tripods, filters, lightning detectors, GoPros, Insta360 cameras, DJI Pockets for dynamic video vlogging, and mobile radios and weather-tracking apps for real-time communication and data.
Their custom-outfitted "chase vehicles," called SCIFs (Storm and Cloud Chasing Four-Wheelers), are equipped with recovery tools to navigate challenging terrain during storm pursuits. These tools include winches, tow straps, and sand ladders.
Despite advances in technology, the Kolkata Cloud Chasers emphasize the importance of experience and instinct in storm chasing, especially when devices fail under harsh conditions. Their dedication has made them somewhat of a spectacle in local areas, sometimes leading to amusing misunderstandings among villagers unfamiliar with storm chasing as a pursuit.
The Kolkata Cloud Chasers have traveled far and wide, from the misty heights of Sandakphu in the Eastern Himalayas to the salt-kissed shores of Henry Island on the Bay of Bengal. They have documented numerous turbulent weather events, including Cyclone Mocha which brushed Bengal's coast on May 13, 2023, creating dramatic cloud formations.
The Indian monsoon has been a source of inspiration for poets, writers, and travellers for thousands of years. Rabindranath Tagore, a Poet Laureate, dedicated many of his compositions to the monsoon. The Kolkata Cloud Chasers' work continues this tradition, capturing the raw power and beauty of the monsoon in their photographs and videos.
Chirasree, a member of the Kolkata Cloud Chasers, saw dramatic skies on May 13, including a distant rain shaft. Debarshi, another member, had chased a thunderstorm near Bardhaman a month earlier. The Kolkata Cloud Chasers are an informal community of sky-watchers who have followed cloudbursts, cyclones, and monsoon phenomena.
The Kolkata Cloud Chasers combine professional-level equipment, tech-savvy real-time weather tracking, and years of practical storm chasing experience to document and study monsoon storms in Eastern India, while also fostering local awareness of this rare and adventurous pursuit in India. They are a testament to the enduring fascination with the Indian monsoon and the human spirit's desire to understand and capture its essence.
[1] Kolkata Cloud Chasers Official Website [2] BBC News: Kolkata Cloud Chasers Capture Monsoon Drama
- The Kolkata Cloud Chasers expand their interests beyond storm chasing, occasionally dabbling in home-and-garden and lifestyle photography to document their unique lifestyle as extreme weather enthusiasts.
- During their off-season, the Kolkata Cloud Chasers indulge in travel exploration, seeking out new weather phenomena and landscapes to photograph around the world, including home-and-garden scenes in exotic locations, capturing the contrast between the tumultuous skies and serene gardens.
