Cyclonic Storm Arnab is likely to bring heavy rain to several districts of West Bengal from October 28 to 30, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a bulletin on Monday, news agency PTI reported from Kolkata.
Source: PTI via Kalimpong Online News
The weather system, which lay over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal on Monday morning, will gradually intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28, the IMD said. West Bengal is not expected to face a direct hit, but the system's indirect impact is expected to bring rain and gusty winds to several parts of the state, IANS reported, citing the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata.
Source: IANS via hi INDiA
Which districts are on watch
Light to moderate rain is likely over some districts of south Bengal, including North and South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata, from October 27 to 30, according to the IMD bulletin cited by PTI. Heavy rainfall is likely from October 28 to 30 in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia in south Bengal.
The sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri could receive heavy rain on October 29 and 30, the bulletin said, warning of possible landslides in the sub-Himalayan district of Darjeeling in the wake of the cyclone.
Fishermen told to stay ashore, squally winds on the coast
The IMD advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast from Monday, as squally winds will prevail over the region, PTI reported. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata prohibited fishermen from venturing into the sea from Tuesday to Thursday, and the restriction will remain in force until further instructions, IANS reported.
Source: Nation Press
Squally winds will prevail along and off the West Bengal coast from October 27 to 29, with speeds reaching 35-45 kmph, occasionally gusting to 55 kmph, according to the IMD bulletin. A Meteorological Department official cited by IANS said that due to the indirect impact of the cyclone, rain and gusty winds may occur in various districts of the state, with the amount of rain increasing in south Bengal from Thursday.