Kolkata, Oct 31: The formation of a fresh depression over the south Andaman Sea, alongside the lingering influence of Cyclone Arnab, has raised the possibility of heavy rainfall across parts of eastern and northeastern India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of very heavy showers in some north Bengal districts on October 31.
The developing weather systems are expected to bring contrasting rainfall patterns across West Bengal, with north Bengal facing the possibility of intense showers while south Bengal is likely to experience predominantly dry conditions. The fresh depression is also being monitored for its projected movement towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The remnants of Cyclone Arnab have developed into a low-pressure area over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining eastern Madhya Pradesh. The system is drawing moisture towards north Bengal, raising the likelihood of isolated heavy rainfall in parts of the region.
The IMD has indicated that rainfall may also affect several locations across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Sikkim, particularly the sub-Himalayan belt.
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Eastern Regional Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Kolkata, said a separate depression had formed over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas. Moving west-northwestwards, the system is expected to intensify over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea before developing into a deep depression.
The weather system is likely to move towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the following two days, Biswas said, adding that the IMD was monitoring its development.
For north Bengal, the districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar may experience gusty winds, light to moderate rainfall and scattered thunderstorms. The weather office has issued yellow and orange warnings for heavy and very heavy rainfall, respectively, in parts of the region.
In south Bengal, rainfall activity is expected to remain limited, with isolated showers possible. Most areas are likely to experience partly cloudy skies and predominantly dry weather between November 1 and 5. However, rainfall activity could increase again between Tuesday and Thursday next week.
Kolkata is also likely to experience partly cloudy conditions with a possibility of light showers and thunderstorms. The city’s maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to remain around 31 and 25 degrees Celsius, respectively.
On Friday, Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 29.2 degrees Celsius, 1.7 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 25.2 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 69 and 95 per cent.
