Cyclone Arnab: West Bengal braces for heavy rain, landslides on alert
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is tracking toward the Andhra Pradesh coast — but West Bengal is already feeling the effects. From tidal surge warnings in Sagar and Namkhana to landslide alerts in Darjeeling and Kalimpong, the state faces days of dangerous weather, with fishermen barred from sea and Civil Defence deployed across the most vulnerable coastal pockets.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm and is expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, 29 October 2026 .
The RMC Kolkata has forecast heavy rain and gusty winds of 40 to 50 kmph in South 24 Parganas , East Midnapore , West Midnapore , and Jhargram on Wednesday.
Fishing activities are restricted until Thursday ; fishermen at sea have been directed to return to shore immediately.
Landslide warnings have been issued for Darjeeling , Kalimpong , Alipurduar , and Jalpaiguri for Thursday and Friday .
Civil Defence personnel have been deployed in coastal areas including Sagar and Namkhana ; coastal police stations are broadcasting public warnings.
Tidal surges in rivers and along the sea are an additional risk for low-lying coastal communities.
West Bengal is on high alert as Cyclone Arnab, now intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, is projected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, 29 October 2026. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata on Tuesday issued warnings of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across multiple coastal and inland districts of the state over the next several days.
Coastal Districts on High Alert
The worst of the weather is expected in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram, where thunderstorms and gusty winds of 30 to 40 kmph have been forecast for Tuesday. By Wednesday, conditions are expected to deteriorate sharply in these four districts, with heavy rainfall and wind speeds climbing to 40 to 50 kmph.
Districts including Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall, with scattered showers and gusty winds possible as the cyclone's influence spreads inland across south Bengal.
Fishermen Warned, Sea Fishing Restricted
The Meteorological Department has issued a strict advisory against fishermen venturing into the sea, warning that coastal waters will turn very rough from Tuesday under the cyclone's influence. Fishing activities have been restricted until Thursday. Fishermen already at sea have been directed to return to shore immediately, according to the official warning.
Tidal surges in rivers and along the coastline are a concern for authorities, with high tides compounding the risk from heavy rain and strong winds for residents in low-lying and vulnerable coastal areas.
Landslide Risk in North Bengal Hills
The cyclone's reach is expected to extend to north Bengal by Thursday and Friday, with heavy rainfall forecast for Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri districts. The Meteorological Department has specifically warned of possible landslides in hilly areas due to persistent and heavy downpours in this period.
Emergency Response Deployed
Authorities have activated emergency protocols across vulnerable coastal pockets. Fraserganj Coastal Police Station, Gangasagar Coastal Police Station, and Govardhanpur Coastal Police Station, along with personnel in the Namkhana area of South 24 Parganas, have begun broadcasting public warnings through address systems.
Civil Defence personnel have been deployed in high-risk areas including Sagar and Namkhana to support emergency response and disaster management operations. Authorities have underscored the risk posed by the combination of heavy rain, rising water levels, and tidal surges to people residing in coastal and low-lying zones.
With the cyclone still intensifying and set to cross the Andhra coast on Wednesday, West Bengal's exposure to spillover weather effects will be closely monitored by state officials in the hours ahead.
Point of View
But West Bengal — with its exposed deltaic coastline, dense riverine network, and hilly north — absorbs significant collateral risk every time a Bay of Bengal system intensifies. The landslide warning for Darjeeling and Kalimpong is particularly serious: hill communities have limited evacuation windows, and the combination of saturated soil and heavy overnight rain has proven fatal in past events. The deployment of Civil Defence in Sagar and Namkhana is the right call, but the real test of preparedness is last-mile communication to fisherfolk and low-income coastal households who often cannot or do not heed early advisories. The state's response framework will be under scrutiny in the next 48 hours.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cyclone Arnab and where is it expected to make landfall?
Cyclone Arnab is a very severe cyclonic storm forming over the Bay of Bengal, expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday, 29 October 2026. Its influence is simultaneously triggering heavy rain and strong wind warnings across multiple districts of West Bengal.
Which districts of West Bengal are most affected by Cyclone Arnab?
South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram face the heaviest impact, with winds of 40 to 50 kmph and heavy rain expected on Wednesday. Kolkata, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Hooghly are forecast to receive light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds.
Why have fishermen been warned and until when is fishing restricted?
Sea conditions along West Bengal's coast are expected to turn very rough under the cyclone's influence from Tuesday onwards, making fishing life-threatening. The Meteorological Department has restricted fishing activities until Thursday and directed fishermen already at sea to return to shore immediately.
Where is the landslide risk in West Bengal, and when is it expected?
Landslide warnings apply to the hilly districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri, where heavy rainfall is forecast for Thursday and Friday. Persistent rain on already saturated slopes in these areas raises the risk of hillside failures and debris flows.
What emergency measures have authorities put in place?
Civil Defence personnel have been deployed in vulnerable coastal areas including Sagar and Namkhana in South 24 Parganas. Fraserganj, Gangasagar, and Govardhanpur Coastal Police Stations are broadcasting warnings via public address systems, and authorities have cautioned residents about tidal surges and rising water levels.
