How to catch the drama in the sky

When most of us seek cover at the first thunderclap, some enthusiasts grab their gear, check radars, and head straight into the eye of the storm.They’ve taught themselves to read weather patterns and track Kalbaisakhis with precision. A bunch of everyday professionals – lawyers, IT experts, and entrepreneurs are driven by a passion for extreme weather that push them to chase storms. We spoke to some of these extreme weather photographers toknow more about their preps, the gear, and the thrill of capturing Bengal’s wild skies. It’s not a job to them, it’s part science, part madness – and all ofit, entirely intentional.

‘Distance is key, never chase’
Strategies are key for extreme weather photographers. It is crucial for them to keep atleast a 9km distance from the eye of the storm, while simultaneously tracking its movement with radar and choosing rural routes to avoid traffic. “We never chase head-on,” says Debarshi Duttagupta, another member of Kolkata Cloud Chasers. “We set up cameras outside during lightning strikes, and monitor them from inside the car,” he adds. Sammya Brata, a solo cloud chaser, who picked up the hobby during the pandemic advises, “Never go outside with a phone during lightning. Use a tripod and stay under cover.”

Beyond the thrill
For Joyjeet Mukherjee, also known as ‘Boltanator’, storm chasing isn’t a sport but an emotional pursuit. “There’s no commercial angle to it,” he says. To him, it all began with a passion for photographing sunsets, but has now grown into full-scale storm chasing spree. Even while he is travelling, his cameras, be it mobile phones or DSLRs, are always ready. “I captured a lightning strike photo from an airplane recently” he adds But safety is crucial. “This isn’t just for likes,” he warns. Lightning is especially dangerous; there are instances of chasers being hit, or narrow escapes. During cyclone Remal, while Chirasree went to Bakkhali, Joyjeet and his team tracked the system over Basirhat and Taki. “It felt like a scene from a movie. It is unforgettable,” he adds.


Chasing storms by data, not chance
Suman Ghosh, who has been chasing storms for over a decade with Kolkata Cloud Chasers* says, “When it gets stormy, chasers scan weather apps, IMD bulletins, and satellite maps for cues like temperature shifts, dew points, wind shear, as well as instability.”
Fellow cloud chaser Chirasree adds, ‘If you’re just driving after clouds, you’re already too late, as it needs to be tracked hours
in advance.” Alipriya Ghosh, a solo extreme weather photographer says, “I track storms online, but as soon as I sense a brewing storm, I’m ready on the terrace to capture the moment.”


Storm chaser’s kit

• Apps: Keep apps like Windy, Weather Doc, IMD satellite maps, Blitzortung lightning tracker handy
• Gear: DSLR or high-speed phone camera, remote trigger, tripod and car mounts are essential
• Communication: Citizens Band (CB) radios — walkie-talkie-style devices that work on FM frequencies can help to stay connected during chases
• Car essentials: GPS tablet, sand ladders, winch, tow ropes, emergency lights, water bottles
• Safety: Keep Rubber insulators handy, phone fully charged, tyres checked and fuel topped up
• Planning: Proper pre-planning is non-negotiable — keep exit routes mapped before the chase begins

Dos:

• Study IMD maps, radars, wind patterns, and satellite images before heading out
• Pack cameras with waterproof covers, power banks, a tripod, and a backup phone
• Keep your vehicle fuelled
• Have a clear exit plan
• Keep someone live location shared with someone

Don’ts:

• Chase storms without checking forecasts
• Chase the storm, keep a safe distance
• Ignore IMD warnings
• Park your car under trees or power lines
• Go solo, it’s better to chase in pairs or groups

Quotes

Kolkata used to get seven to nine Kalboishakhis earlier, but now it’s down to one or two. Pollution, heating of the Bay of Bengal and urban expansion are breaking up storms befor they reach the city– Debarshi Duttagupta, a cloud chaserWe don’t always succeed and this isn’t for everyone.We never let anyone join without proper research or experience. It’s purely out of love for extreme weather photography
– Chirasree Chakraborty, a cloud chaser