A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to move inland near the coast between Gopalpur and Visakhapatnam on Wednesday night, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas to several parts of West Bengal, according to an Alipore weather office bulletin issued on Tuesday evening.
The system was located about 210 km south and southwest of Puri, 220 km east of Visakhapatnam and 150 km from Gopalpur in the latest update. It was moving west-northwest at about 7 kmph after intensifying from a depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal.
South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura are forecast to receive heavy rain on Wednesday, with rainfall of 7 to 11 cm possible. South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore have been placed under an orange warning, with squally winds reaching 40 to 50 kmph.
Kolkata and the other districts of south Bengal are under a yellow warning for Wednesday. Gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph are possible in these areas, along with thunderstorms and rain. The forecast currently does not indicate the likelihood of heavy rain in Kolkata, although stormy weather remains possible.
The weather office has forecast heavy to very heavy rain of 7 to 20 cm in East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram on Thursday. Heavy rain is also expected in South 24 Parganas, Bankura, Purulia, West Burdwan, Birbhum and Howrah. All districts of West Bengal will remain under some form of weather warning that day.
On Friday, heavy rain is forecast in Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and West Burdwan. South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore will remain under an orange warning for winds of 40 to 50 kmph, while stormy weather is expected across south Bengal until then. The intensity of the rain and thunderstorms may decline from Saturday.
The system is also expected to affect north Bengal, although its direct impact there is forecast to be limited. From Tuesday to Thursday, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur and South Dinajpur may receive moderate to heavy rain accompanied by lightning. On Friday, very heavy rain is forecast in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, while Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Cooch Behar may receive heavy rain.
The Bay of Bengal is expected to remain rough through Friday. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the deep sea along the coasts of West Bengal and Odisha from Tuesday to Friday. Gusts in the west-central Bay of Bengal may reach up to 75 kmph on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the weather bulletin.
