West Bengal is facing a spell of heavy rain from October 28 to 30 as a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify before moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast, the India Meteorological Department said on Sunday.
The weather system is likely to become a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28 and moving northwestward thereafter, according to the IMD. Its influence is expected to bring squally winds along and off the West Bengal coast from October 27.
South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia are likely to receive heavy rainfall between October 28 and 30. The remaining districts of south Bengal are expected to receive light to moderate rain during the same period.
The forecast also covers north Bengal. Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar are likely to receive heavy rainfall on October 29 and 30, the weather office said.
The warning places coastal districts and inland areas on different rainfall timelines, with the strongest expected impact in parts of south Bengal between October 28 and 30. The forecast is relevant to local administration, transport operations, drainage systems and residents in areas vulnerable to intense rainfall.
The IMD has advised fishermen not to venture into the sea along and off the West Bengal coast from October 27 until further notice. The advice follows the forecast of squally winds along the coast as the Bay of Bengal system strengthens.
The system was identified as a depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal when the IMD issued its warning. The weather office said it was likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm before crossing the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 28. Further rainfall and wind conditions in West Bengal will depend on the system’s movement after landfall.
The current forecast does not indicate that all parts of the state will receive the same intensity of rain. South 24 Parganas, Purba Medinipur, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia have been identified for heavy rainfall, while other south Bengal districts are expected to receive lighter rain. In north Bengal, the heavy-rain window is forecast for October 29 and 30.
The IMD’s sea-fishing restriction remains in effect from October 27 until further notice. Residents, fishing communities and local authorities will be watching subsequent weather bulletins for updates on the system’s intensity, movement and rainfall distribution.
