What changed
A depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is forecast to strengthen into Cyclone Arnab and reach the Andhra Pradesh coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. West Bengal is not expected to take a direct hit, but the Kolkata weather office forecasts rain, thunderstorms and rough seas from October 27 to 30.
The projected storm could bring winds of 115–125 kilometres per hour, with gusts up to 140 kilometres per hour. The name Arnab applies only if the depression develops into a cyclone.
Why it matters
West Bengal’s main risk is disruption from the storm’s outer influence, not landfall. Fishermen along the coast have been told to return by Tuesday, as winds are expected to reach 35–55 kilometres per hour and the sea turns rough.
Heavy rain is forecast in South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore and Jhargram on Wednesday and Thursday. Purulia and Bankura could see heavy rain on Thursday. Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly face scattered rain, thunderstorms and lightning, while several North Bengal districts may receive heavy rain from Thursday.
The system was moving southeast at 8 kilometres per hour on Saturday night. If it strengthens as forecast, it will turn west-northwest over the Bay before approaching Andhra Pradesh. West Bengal’s temperatures are expected to remain broadly steady for three days, then fall by 2–3 degrees.
Comments
No comments yet.