Cyclone Arnab intensified rapidly over the Bay of Bengal on Monday and was expected to strengthen into a very severe cyclonic storm before making landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, while Kolkata and several districts of Bengal prepared for rain, gusty winds and occasional lightning.
The cyclone developed from a deep depression in the early hours of Monday and became a severe cyclonic storm by the evening, according to the weather report. By Tuesday morning, it was expected to intensify further, with peak wind speeds potentially reaching 140kmph.
At 8.30am on Monday, the system was generating winds of up to 80kmph. Its peak wind speed had increased to 90kmph by 2.30pm. The storm was forecast to retain its intensity until landfall, producing sustained winds of 115kmph to 125kmph and gusts up to 140kmph.
The storm was centred 520km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha, 540km east-southeast of Visakhapatnam and 790km east-southeast of Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh at 2.30pm on Monday. A Met bulletin said it was very likely to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam, close to Yanam, by the forenoon of October 28.
Yanam, a coastal and riverside enclave in the East Godavari region, is administered as part of the Union territory of Puducherry. Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring Odisha had begun preparations on a war footing as the storm’s projected path placed coastal areas at risk of strong winds and heavy weather.
The cyclone’s effects were expected to extend into Bengal. South Bengal was forecast to receive some rain on Tuesday, followed by a more significant spell between Wednesday and Saturday. South 24-Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura and Purulia were expected to receive heavy rain.
Kolkata and other districts were likely to see light to moderate rain, mild gusts and occasional lightning. The city remained bright and sunny on Monday, but the forecast for Tuesday indicated light rain or thundershowers, with the sky likely to become generally cloudy by afternoon.
The weather conditions could affect routine urban activity across the region, particularly where rainfall, lightning and gusts coincide with exposed roads, open areas and outdoor work. The supplied report does not specify any closures, evacuation orders, transport restrictions or municipal advisories for Kolkata.
North Bengal was forecast to receive heavy rain later in the week. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar were expected to be affected between October 29 and 31.
The cyclone was being fuelled by warm sea-surface temperatures and abundant moisture, conditions that supported its continued intensification over the Bay. Persistent rain was expected to lower daytime temperatures in Kolkata, while an influx of moisture could raise night temperatures, a Met official said.
