Kolkata, Oct. 27 -- Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is now expected to make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam during the early hours of Wednesday, between 2 am and 4 am, ruling out the earlier forecast of a forenoon landfall. In its latest bulletin on Tuesday, the IMD said the storm was moving west-northwestwards at 18 kmph, with sustained winds of 125-135 kmph and gusts reaching 150 kmph. The IMD attributed the revised timing to the storm's faster movement, adding that its outer spiral bands had already begun extending over land.

Habibur Rahman Biswas, Regional Director of the Alipore Meteorological Office, said several South Bengal districts could experience heavy rainfall through Friday. On Wednesday, isolated heavy rain of 70-110 mm is forecast in South 24-Parganas, East and West Midnapore and Jhargram, accompanied by winds of 40-50 kmph. On Thursday, heavy showers are possible in East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and West Burdwan. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong and Alipurduar may also receive heavy rain, with landslide risks in the hills.

Rain was reported in several parts of Kolkata on Tuesday, particularly in coastal areas. Digha, Haldia, Mahishadal and Nandakumar in East Midnapore also witnessed showers, with gusty winds and thunderstorms in some places.

The storm has also raised safety concerns along the Bengal coast. Authorities are using public-address systems to warn coastal residents about rough seas and changing weather conditions. Kolkata and Haldia ports have hoisted Local Cautionary Signal No. 3, while Sagar Island port has issued Sectional Signal No. II. Fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea until October 29.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old tourist, Govinda Panda, died after getting into difficulty while bathing at Tajpur's Mallika Beach in East Midnapore on Tuesday. Two others were rescued.

Transport services have also been disrupted. IndiGo cancelled all flights from Vijayawada airport until Wednesday, including services to Delhi and Hyderabad. Railways cancelled 53 passenger and local trains and 11 express and special services. The Howrah-Jagdalpur Express is cancelled from October 27 to 30, and the Jagdalpur-Howrah Express from October 28 to 31.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.