A deep depression has turned into a cyclone over northwest Bay of Bengal and is likely to hit the coast between south Odisha and north Andhra Pradesh by Sunday evening.
The trajectory of the cyclone, named Gulab by Pakistan, and its distance from Calcutta is likely to save the city from any severe impact of the storm. But that does not mean relief from rain for Calcuttans.
The Met office said a second weather system, a cyclonic circulation, is likely to develop over northeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal on Monday. This second system is certain to bring heavy rainfall in the city and other parts of south Bengal.
Where is the cyclone now?
Gulab was about 370km east-southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 440km east-northeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh at 5.30pm on Saturday.
Which way is it likely to travel?
The weatherman said the storm was likely to move westwards from where it was located on Saturday evening. It was likely to hit the land around Kalingapatnam in Andhra by Sunday evening. “The cyclonic storm is likely to cross the coast near Kalignapatnam, between Gopalpur in Odisha’s south coast and Visakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh,” said a senior official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
How fast is it moving?
The cyclone is moving at 7km an hour, said the official. If its size is anything to go by, it is unlikely to be very severe. The system now has a diameter between 200km and 300km, said an IMD official. Cyclones Amphan and Yaas had a diameter of about 700km while at sea.
Why Gulab?
A list of names to be assigned to cyclones emerging in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal has been prepared by 13 countries, including India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Once used the name cannot be used again. The name of Cyclone Yaas, which hit the Odisha coast in May and had significant impact in Bengal, was proposed by Oman.
What would be the impact of Cyclone Gulab on Calcutta?
IMD Calcutta director G.K. Das ruled out any significant impact of Cyclone Gulab on Calcutta, including intense rain.
Does this mean bright sunny days ahead for Calcutta?
No. The Met office has spied another weather system that is certain to bring heavy rainfall in Calcutta between Tuesday evening and Wednesday.
Why another bout of rain in Calcutta?
A cyclonic circulation is likely to emerge over northeast and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal around Monday, said the Alipore Met office. “Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to develop over northeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood during subsequent 24 hours. It is likely to move northwestwards and reach the Bengal coast around Wednesday,” said a Met official.
Director Das told Metro that this second system was likely to cause heavy downpour in Calcutta on Tuesday and Wednesday. “We are anticipating heavy rainfall because of the cyclonic circulation that is yet to form.”