Cyclone Arnab: No direct impact on Bengal, heavy rain likely in several districts

West Bengal is unlikely to face the direct impact of Cyclone 'Arnab', but the weather system is expected to bring rain and thunderstorms to several parts of the state between October 27 and 30, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata said on Sunday. Heavy rain is likely in parts of south Bengal on Wednesday and Thursday, while northern districts may also receive heavy showers later in the week.

The depression over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal is moving south-eastwards at a speed of 8 kmph. According to the weather office, the system was located at 11.30 pm on Saturday around 470 km north-north-west of Srivijayapuram in the Andaman Islands, 860 km east-south-east of Visakhapatnam, 950 km east-south-east of Kakinada, 1,060 km east of Machilipatnam and 1,130 km east of Bapatla.

Cyclone Arnab May Strengthen Into A Severe Storm

The system is expected to move southwards before turning west-north-westwards over the east-central Bay of Bengal on Sunday. It is forecast to continue moving in that direction and intensify into a cyclone by Monday morning. If it develops into a cyclone, it will be named 'Arnab'.

The weather office expects the system to strengthen further over the sea and become a severe cyclone by Tuesday morning. It may then intensify into a very severe cyclone as it moves north-westwards towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

The system is forecast to reach the coast on Wednesday morning and make landfall between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam by Wednesday afternoon in an extremely severe form. Wind speeds at landfall could reach 115-125 kmph, with gusts of up to 140 kmph.

Fishermen Advised To Stay Away From Sea

Strong winds have begun developing over the east-central and south-east Bay of Bengal under the influence of the depression and the developing cyclone.

The West Bengal coast has been placed under alert from Tuesday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea after that day, while those already at sea have been asked to return by Tuesday.

Wind speeds along the West Bengal coast are expected to reach 35-55 kmph from Tuesday, with rough sea conditions likely as the weather system develops.

Heavy Rain Forecast In South Bengal Districts

The developing system is likely to bring heavy rain to several districts of South Bengal. South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram are likely to receive heavy showers on Wednesday and Thursday. Purulia and Bankura may also experience heavy rain on Thursday.

Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly are likely to receive scattered rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday and Thursday.

Similar conditions are expected in North 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia from Wednesday to Saturday.

North Bengal May Receive Heavy Showers From Thursday

In North Bengal, heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts from Thursday. Other northern districts may experience scattered rain, thunderstorms and lightning.

The weather office said there would be no major change in temperatures across West Bengal over the next three days. Temperatures may fall by 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter.

Kolkata Records Slightly Above-Normal Minimum Temperature

Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius on Sunday morning, which was 0.4 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature on Saturday stood at 31.2 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal.

(With IANS inputs)