Kolkata avoids the “Arnab” bullet despite heavy rain and a deep depression.

According to the India Meteorological Department, “Cyclone Arnab,” which is making the rounds in headlines, social media feeds, and the atmosphere, is not a cyclone. Scientifically speaking, the current weather system over the Bay of Bengal region is a deep depression. Although it is bringing strong winds, thunderstorms, and heavy rain to Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, it does not fit the criteria to be designated as a cyclone.

The maximum sustained wind speed in the current deep depression is between 55 and 65 kmph. According to the IMD, a deep depression has an average wind speed of 50–61 kmph, but a cyclonic storm has an average wind speed of 62–88 kmph. As a result, the system cannot be classified as a cyclone.

According to the IMD, the deep depression over the coast of north Andhra Pradesh moved slowly west-northwest at a speed of 3 kmph at 6 a.m. and crossed the coast near southwest of Kalingapatnam at 11 p.m. on September 23 and 1 a.m. on September 24. The maximum sustained wind speed was 55–65 kmph, with gusts reaching 75 kmph.

It is quite probable to move northwest at first, sustaining the deep depression’s strength for the following twelve hours. After that, it is highly likely to continue north-northwest and gradually weaken during the next twenty-four hours.

Orange alerts have been issued for heavy to extremely heavy rain in one or two locations over East and West Midnapore and Jhargram districts on September 24. One or two locations over Kolkata and other districts including Howrah, Hooghly, and North and South 24 Parganas, where yellow alerts have been issued, are likely to experience heavy rain. On September 25, orange alerts were also issued in East and West Midnapore and South 24 Parganas.

There is a good chance that one or two locations over these regions will experience thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds that can reach speeds of 40 to 50 kmph. The forecast for Kolkata calls for mostly cloudy skies, a few brief periods of light to moderate rain or thundershowers, and a high probability of a heavy downpour.

Waterlogging in low-lying areas, and closure of underpasses is expected in the city. Intense rainstorms are likely to cause occasional visibility reductions. Waterlogging and low visibility may also cause traffic disruptions, resulting in longer travel times and more incidents.

The IMD predicts that the weather will improve around Saturday, September 26, with light to moderate rain and thunderstorms likely to occur in numerous locations throughout all of south Bengal’s districts. It is recommended that fishermen wait until September 25 to go into the sea off the coast of West Bengal, Odisha, North Bay Bengal, and West Central Bay of Bengal.