Cyclone Arnab weakens to depression, rains to lash south Bengal on Thursday
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab has crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast and downgraded to a deep depression, but its tail is still soaking south Bengal. With Kolkata, Howrah and several districts under rain watch, and a fresh low-pressure area already forming over the Andaman Sea, Bengal's weather trouble may be far from over.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a deep depression after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The system is now over south Chhattisgarh , 20 km west of Jagdalpur , moving north at 22 kmph ; expected to weaken further by Thursday evening .
Light to moderate rain forecast for Kolkata , Howrah , Hooghly , South 24 Parganas , Birbhum , Murshidabad and Nadia ; heavy rain warning for Jhargram , Purulia and Bankura .
Heavy rainfall warnings also issued for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri ; fresh snowfall reported at Nathula and Tsomgo in east Sikkim .
Fishermen advised not to venture into the Bay of Bengal on Thursday due to rough seas.
A new low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea and may intensify into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal within 24 hours .
Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a deep depression after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast, but its remnants continue to drive widespread rainfall across south Bengal districts — including Kolkata — on Thursday, 29 October. The meteorological department confirmed the system is no longer a direct coastal threat, though its influence on West Bengal's weather remains significant.
Where the System Is Now
The deep depression is currently centred over south Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha, approximately 20 km west of Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh and 250 km south of Raipur, according to the weather office. It is tracking northward at 22 km per hour and is expected to weaken further by Thursday evening.
Rainfall Forecast for South Bengal
Kolkata is expected to remain under cloudy skies throughout the day, with intermittent light to moderate rain. The districts of Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia face similar conditions. Gusty winds of 30–40 kmph may accompany the rainfall in these areas.
Heavier spells have been forecast specifically for Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura districts, where a heavy rain warning is in force. Fishermen have been advised to stay off the sea as the Bay of Bengal remains rough along the West Bengal and Odisha coasts on Thursday.
North Bengal, Darjeeling and Sikkim Also Affected
Thunderstorms and rain are predicted across north Bengal as well, with heavy rainfall warnings issued for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. The region had seen relatively clear weather in recent days before turning cloudy on Thursday morning. Meanwhile, fresh snowfall has been reported in parts of east Sikkim, with Nathula and Tsomgo (Changu) blanketed under a new layer of snow.
New Low-Pressure System Forming
A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining regions, the weather office said. It is expected to move west-northwestwards over the next 24 hours, intensify into a well-marked low-pressure area, and may subsequently develop into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal. This development is being closely monitored as it could influence the region's weather in the coming days.
With Arnab's remnants still keeping the skies active and a potential new system brewing in the Bay, residents of coastal and inland Bengal are advised to stay updated on official forecasts through the day.
Point of View
But the residual rainfall across south Bengal underscores how long-tailed these systems can be for inland and coastal communities even after the headline cyclone is gone. More concerning is the new low-pressure area forming over the Andaman Sea — the Bay of Bengal's late-October window remains active, and a second system intensifying within days of Arnab would stress already-saturated districts. The fishermen advisory reflects the real near-term risk: rough seas that persist well after official advisories are lifted tend to claim lives precisely because the 'storm is over' narrative has already spread.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has happened to Cyclone Arnab?
Cyclone Arnab has weakened into a deep depression after making landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast. It is now located over south Chhattisgarh, about 20 km west of Jagdalpur, and is expected to weaken further by Thursday evening.
Which districts in West Bengal are under rain warning on 29 October?
Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia face light to moderate rain with gusty winds of 30–40 kmph. Heavier rainfall is specifically forecast for Jhargram, Purulia and Bankura, where a heavy rain warning is in force.
Is there a new cyclone forming after Arnab?
A fresh low-pressure area has formed over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining regions. According to the weather office, it is likely to intensify into a well-marked low-pressure area within 24 hours and may subsequently develop into a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal.
Should fishermen go out to sea today?
No. The meteorological department has advised fishermen not to venture into the Bay of Bengal on Thursday, as the sea remains rough along the West Bengal and Odisha coasts due to the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab.
Is north Bengal and Sikkim also affected by the weather system?
Yes. Thunderstorms and rain are predicted across north Bengal, with heavy rainfall warnings for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri. Fresh snowfall has also been reported in east Sikkim, with Nathula and Tsomgo (Changu) covered under a new layer of snow.
