Kolkata, Nov 2: Parts of south Bengal, including Kolkata, are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall over the next two days as Cyclone Murasu moves towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, although the weather system is not expected to make a direct impact on West Bengal, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Kolkata, said on Monday.
The rainfall forecast covers East Midnapore, West Midnapore, South 24 Parganas and Kolkata, where scattered showers are expected until Wednesday. The cyclone’s influence is likely to extend to parts of southern West Bengal despite the system remaining far from the state as it advances across the southeast Bay of Bengal.
According to the meteorological office, Murasu has intensified into a cyclonic storm and is expected to cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday morning. The landfall is likely between Nellore and Araku, with the system potentially intensifying further before reaching the coast.
The storm is expected to bring sustained wind speeds of 100 to 110 kmph, with gusts reaching 120 kmph during landfall. Its intensity is forecast to remain below that of Cyclone Arnab, described as a very strong cyclone. Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states are expected to bear the impact of the weather system.
Meanwhile, West Bengal is unlikely to experience any significant change in temperatures over the next three days. The meteorological office has forecast a shift towards drier conditions after the cyclone moves away, with both north and south Bengal likely to experience predominantly dry weather for four to five days from November 5.
Minimum temperatures could fall by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius during this period, indicating a gradual change in weather conditions across the state.
In Kolkata and adjoining areas, daytime temperatures are expected to remain around 31 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days, while night temperatures are likely to range between 24 and 25 degrees Celsius. Subsequently, minimum temperatures could decline to around 22 to 23 degrees Celsius.
The western districts of the state are likely to experience cooler nights, with minimum temperatures expected to settle around 20 to 21 degrees Celsius.
Kolkata’s latest recorded temperature readings showed both maximum and minimum temperatures above their respective normal levels. On Sunday, the city registered a maximum of 31 degrees Celsius, marginally 0.01 degrees above normal, while the minimum stood at 24.09 degrees Celsius, 2.03 degrees above normal.
Relative humidity during the day ranged between 73 and 95 per cent, according to the meteorological office.
