Cyclone Arnab aftermath: Heavy rain alert for north Bengal districts
Synopsis
Cyclone Arnab may be gone, but its low-pressure remnant is now pulling moisture into north Bengal's sub-Himalayan districts — triggering orange and yellow alerts. Simultaneously, a fresh depression is forming over the south Andaman Sea and tracking toward the Andhra Pradesh coast, signalling that India's Bay of Bengal storm season is far from over.
Key Takeaways
Cyclone Arnab's residual low-pressure area is currently over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining eastern Madhya Pradesh .
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange warning of very heavy rainfall and a yellow warning of heavy rainfall for parts of north Bengal .
Five districts — Darjeeling , Jalpaiguri , Kalimpong , Alipurduar , and Cooch Behar — face gusty winds and thunderstorms on 31 October .
A fresh depression over the south Andaman Sea is expected to intensify and move toward the Andhra Pradesh coast within two days.
Kolkata temperatures are expected at approximately 31°C maximum and 25°C minimum; most of the state to remain dry through 5 November .
Even as Cyclone Arnab has moved away from the coast, its residual low-pressure system is expected to bring heavy rainfall to parts of north Bengal, the Meteorological Department warned on Saturday, 31 October. The weather alert covers five districts in the sub-Himalayan belt and extends a yellow and orange warning across the region.
Where the System Stands Now
The low-pressure area formed from the remnants of Cyclone Arnab is currently positioned over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining parts of eastern Madhya Pradesh. The system is drawing substantial moisture into north Bengal, elevating the risk of isolated heavy downpours in several districts, according to the department.
Several other states — including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Sikkim, particularly sub-Himalayan zones — are also likely to receive rainfall from the same system.
Fresh Depression Forming Over Andaman Sea
Habibur Rahman Biswas, Eastern Regional Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata, said a fresh depression had formed over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas. The system is moving west-northwestwards and is expected to intensify into a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal by Saturday, before tracking towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the next two days. Biswas said the department was closely monitoring its development.
District-Level Warnings for North Bengal
The weather office has issued a yellow warning of heavy rainfall for several north Bengal districts and an orange warning of very heavy rainfall for select areas. The five districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar may experience gusty winds accompanied by light to moderate rain and scattered thunderstorms on Saturday.
In contrast, south Bengal is likely to see predominantly dry weather with only isolated showers, as rainfall activity declines in that zone.
Outlook for Kolkata and Rest of the State
Kolkata is expected to have partly cloudy skies on Saturday with the possibility of light showers and thunderstorms. From Saturday through 5 November, most areas of the state are likely to remain broadly dry, with only one or two places receiving light rain. Rainfall activity is, however, expected to pick up again between Tuesday and Thursday next week.
The maximum and minimum temperatures in Kolkata are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius respectively. On Friday, Kolkata recorded a maximum of 29.2 degrees Celsius — 1.7 degrees below normal — while the minimum stood at 25.2 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 69% and 95%.
Authorities and residents in the sub-Himalayan north Bengal districts are advised to remain alert as conditions could change depending on the pace at which the developing Bay of Bengal system intensifies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing heavy rain in north Bengal after Cyclone Arnab?
The heavy rainfall risk stems from a low-pressure area formed from the remnants of Cyclone Arnab, currently positioned over northern Chhattisgarh and adjoining eastern Madhya Pradesh. This system is drawing significant moisture into sub-Himalayan north Bengal, raising the likelihood of isolated heavy to very heavy downpours.
Which north Bengal districts are under a rainfall warning?
The districts of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar have been flagged, with gusty winds, light to moderate rain, and scattered thunderstorms expected on 31 October. An orange warning of very heavy rainfall and a yellow warning of heavy rainfall have been issued for parts of north Bengal.
What is the new weather system forming in the Andaman Sea?
A fresh depression has formed over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas, according to Habibur Rahman Biswas, Eastern Regional Director of the RMC in Kolkata. It is moving west-northwestward, expected to intensify into a deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal, and is likely to move toward the Andhra Pradesh coast within two days.
What is the weather forecast for Kolkata from now until 5 November?
Kolkata is expected to have partly cloudy skies with the chance of light showers and thunderstorms on Saturday. From Saturday through 5 November, most areas are likely to remain broadly dry, with rainfall activity expected to return between Tuesday and Thursday next week.
What were Kolkata's temperatures on Friday, 30 October?
Kolkata recorded a maximum temperature of 29.2 degrees Celsius on Friday — 1.7 degrees below normal — and a minimum of 25.2 degrees Celsius, which was 2.6 degrees above normal. Relative humidity ranged between 69% and 95%.
