Kolkata: The system over Bay of Bengal, which has turned into a deep depression on Sunday, will intensify into a cyclonic storm, ‘Arnab’, on Monday.It will further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Oct 27 (Tuesday) and reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of Oct 28 (Wednesday).The cyclone is likely to make a landfall on Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Vishakhapatnam, with a maximum wind speed of 110-115 kmph, gusting to 140 kmph, during the forenoon of Wednesday, about 700-km from Kolkata. “The city may get light showers on Tuesday while the rainfall intensity may be at its peak between Wednesday and Thursday. The city is expected to receive light to moderate rain, though one or two heavy spells are not ruled out in and around Kolkata,” said Regional Meteorological Centre weather scientist, Sourish Bandopadhyay.As per official data on Sunday, the depression was stationed over the east-central and adjoining south-east Bay of Bengal early in the day. Meteorological tracking indicates that the system will steadily move north-northwestwards, rapidly intensifying into a deep depression by Sunday night, and upgrading to a cyclonic storm by Monday morning. Forecasters predict that the storm will peak as a very severe cyclonic storm by Wednesday, packing maximum sustained wind speed of 125-140 kmph. Coastal regions are bracing for weather disruptions as the system advances.Under the influence of the approaching storm, squally winds are expected to impact Bengal coast starting Tuesday.Meteorologists warn that the districts of south Bengal may get heavy rain and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (up to 40 kmph).Local authorities are advised to monitor the situation closely as the storm moves closer to landfall.
