A severe cyclonic storm brewing over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring to Calcutta very heavy rainfall, accompanied by 100kmph winds, on Saturday if it follows the predicted path.

Met officials said cyclone Fani (pronounced Phoni) was still far from the city and a change of course could not be ruled out.

Defence services are on stand-by in Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in case rescue and relief operations have to be launched, PTI quoted officials as saying in New Delhi.