Cyclone Arnab, currently making landfall in Andhra Pradesh, is casting a wide shadow over West Bengal, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting heavy rainfall across parts of south Bengal over the next two days and warning of thunderstorms in several districts. Five flights at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata have already been cancelled as the cyclonic system disrupts air travel.

Districts on Alert

The IMD has identified four south Bengal districts — South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Jhargram — as facing heavy rainfall on Wednesday, 29 October. The remaining districts across south Bengal are expected to see light to moderate showers. Gusty winds with speeds of 30–40 km per hour may affect most south Bengal districts, including Kolkata.

Thunderstorms have been forecast across all south Bengal districts, including Kolkata, on Thursday, 30 October. While conditions are expected to ease from Friday, a yellow alert for thunderstorms remains active for East Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad, and Nadia districts.

Flight Disruptions at Kolkata Airport

The cyclone's reach has hit air operations at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Three IndiGo inbound flights and two IndiGo outbound flights were cancelled on account of Cyclone Arnab. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as further disruptions cannot be ruled out if weather conditions worsen.

Coastal Areas on High Alert

Scattered heavy rainfall was recorded in East Midnapore on Tuesday afternoon, with strong winds reported from coastal stretches including Contai and Ramnagar since Wednesday morning. The tidal surge in the Bay of Bengal has remained significantly above normal levels, prompting authorities to intensify precautionary measures.

Public address system announcements are being made in coastal areas near Tajpur and Shankarpur, and sea bathing has been prohibited as a safety precaution. This kind of coastal restriction is standard protocol when a cyclonic system makes landfall nearby, given the elevated risk of rogue waves and sudden surges.

North Bengal Braces for Landslides

The adverse weather is not confined to the southern districts. North Bengal is also expected to witness difficult conditions, with heavy rainfall forecast in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Jalpaiguri on Thursday and Friday. A yellow alert for thunderstorms has been issued for the remaining north Bengal districts.

The IMD has cautioned that persistent rainfall could trigger landslides in the hill areas of north Bengal — a recurring risk during intense rain events in the sub-Himalayan zone. Residents and tourists in hill districts have been advised to exercise caution.

What to Expect Next

Overall weather conditions across West Bengal are projected to improve from Friday, 31 October, as Cyclone Arnab moves further inland and weakens. Authorities are monitoring river and coastal water levels closely, and further advisories are expected from both the state government and the IMD over the next 48 hours.