Kolkata, Oct 27: West Bengal faces the risk of heavy rainfall, strong winds, possible tidal surges and landslides as Cyclone Arnab intensifies into a very severe cyclonic storm, prompting weather warnings across coastal and northern districts. The storm is expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, while the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Kolkata, has forecast deteriorating conditions across the state.
The Meteorological Department has restricted fishing activities until Thursday and advised fishermen already at sea to return to shore by Monday. Sea conditions along the West Bengal coastline are expected to become very rough, with waves rising under the cyclone’s influence.
On Tuesday, thunderstorms, rain and winds of 30-40 kmph are forecast in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram. Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Howrah and Hooghly are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.
Conditions are expected to worsen on Wednesday, when the four coastal and adjoining districts could experience heavy rain and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph. Kolkata and other parts of south Bengal may also see scattered rainfall accompanied by strong winds.
In north Bengal, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. The department has warned of possible landslides in hilly areas as persistent rain increases the risk.
Authorities have also flagged the possibility of tidal surges in rivers and the sea amid the deep depression and high tide, raising concerns for people in vulnerable coastal settlements.
Fraserganj, Gangasagar and Govardhanpur coastal police stations, along with personnel in Namkhana, South 24 Parganas, have been issuing public-address warnings. Civil Defence personnel have been deployed in vulnerable pockets, including Sagar and Namkhana, to support emergency response and disaster management.
