Kolkata Weather: Rain, gusty winds forecast as Cyclone Arnab weakens after landfall

The rainfall is predicted to lessen after October 30, with only light showers at a few places

Kolkata is likely to receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers till Friday, October 30, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Rainfall is expected to ease from October 31, with only light showers at one or two places.

According to the IMD, the very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' crossed the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, near Narsapur, between 2 am and 8 am on Wednesday, October 28, bringing maximum sustained winds of 125-135 kmph, gusting to 150 kmph.

After landfall on Wednesday morning, the system weakened into a severe cyclonic storm centred over Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Yanam. It is likely to move north-northwestward, weaken into a cyclonic storm within six hours, and become a deep depression within the next six hours.

Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas are likely to see similar weather conditions, with light to moderate rain or thundershowers till October 30, and only light rainfall at one or two places from October 31 onwards.

Similar conditions of light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely to prevail in East and West Midnapore, Jhargram and Purulia till October 30.

The IMD forecasts a gradual fall in maximum temperature by 2-4°C over the next two days, followed by a rise of 2-3 °C over the subsequent two days. No significant change is expected thereafter across Gangetic West Bengal.

Yellow alerts have been issued for Kolkata and districts including Howrah, Hooghly, and North 24 Parganas for October 28 and 29, as thunderstorms with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph and lightning are very likely at one or two places. South 24 Parganas and East and West Midnapore face stronger gusty winds of 40-50 kmph on both days.

Yellow alerts have been issued for Kolkata and neighbouring districts for October 28 and 29, as thunderstorms with gusty winds of 30-40 kmph and lightning are very likely at one or two places.

East and West Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia are also likely to receive light to moderate rain or thundershowers till October 30.

In its fishermen's warning issued at 1.30 pm on Wednesday, the IMD said squally winds reaching 40-50 kmph, gusting to 60 kmph, were likely along and off the West Bengal coast through October 29. Sea conditions are likely to remain rough to very rough during this period. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal and Odisha coasts, or into the west-central and northwest Bay of Bengal, until October 29.

The bulletin also said Local Cautionary Signal No. 3 was hoisted at Hooghly (Kolkata and Haldia ports), alongside Sectional Signal No. II at Sagar Island Port.