India’s weather authorities said that the depression that developed over the Bay of Bengal has reached the deep depression stage.
The depression is reported to be moving toward the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts rather than making direct landfall in West Bengal.
However, heavy rain may continue in South Bengal, including Kolkata, so it is necessary to distinguish between the depression’s landfall point and the areas affected by rain.
3-Line Summary
1. A deep depression developed over the Bay of Bengal
2. Four-day rain forecast for South Bengal, including Kolkata
3. The expected landfall area is not West Bengal
Depression Heading Toward the Southern Coast Instead of Making Landfall in West Bengal
According to reports by ABP Ananda and Sangbad Pratidin, the depression formed over the Bay of Bengal strengthened and developed into a deep depression. Weather authorities forecast that it would move west-northwest toward the northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha coasts.
Sangbad Pratidin reported that the depression could pass along the coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam. It also said that the system had been moving westward at approximately 12㎞ per hour over the past 6 hours.
Based on the projected path described in the reports, the likelihood that the center of the depression will directly enter West Bengal is not high. The possibility that it could previously develop into a cyclone had also been discussed, but weather authorities announced that a cyclone would not form. The important point in this situation is not the storm’s name or whether it makes direct landfall, but how far the broad rainband will affect surrounding areas.
Kolkata and South Bengal Included in the Area Affected by Heavy Rain
Even if the depression does not make landfall in West Bengal, its rainfall effects may remain. Both reports said that Kolkata and several areas of South Bengal could receive heavy rain for 4 days. In particular, heavy rain was expected in South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, and Jhargram, while parts of Purulia, Birbhum, and Howrah were also included.
South 24 Parganas experienced rain and strong winds from early in the day, and reports also said that the effects could be relatively greater in the Sundarbans and coastal areas. ABP Ananda reported that local authorities urged coastal residents to exercise caution and strengthened monitoring of river embankments and coastal areas.
North Bengal was not excluded from the rain forecast either. Heavy rain was expected in several areas, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, and Cooch Behar. This is why it is difficult to conclude that the rainfall risk in a particular area is low based solely on the depression center’s projected path.
Precautions Issued for Fishermen and Beachgoers
The two outlets reported that measures had been introduced to restrict fishermen from putting out to sea until Friday due to the severe weather. Beachgoers were also advised to exercise caution and warned not to enter the sea.
The possibility of heavy rain was also raised for the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts. While the center of the depression approaches those coasts, West Bengal was reported to be preparing for the effects of rain and strong winds regardless of whether direct landfall occurs.
References
Tags #BayOfBengalDepression #DeepDepression #KolkataWeather #WestBengalHeavyRain #SouthBengalWeather #IndiaWeather #OdishaHeavyRain #AndhraPradeshWeather #StrongCoastalWinds #FishermenPrecautions #Sundarbans #IndiaHeavyRain