Bay of Bengal System May Intensify into Cyclone Arnab by October 26; Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal on Weather Watch

KalimNews, Oct 23, 2026, Kalimpong: A developing low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday, October 26, and move towards the north Andhra Pradesh and adjoining south Odisha coasts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday, October 23. The evolving weather system is likely to trigger heavy rainfall across several states, while parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, may experience thunderstorms and rain in the coming days.

According to the IMD’s forecast, the low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a depression on Saturday, October 24, and strengthen further into a deep depression on October 25. By October 26, it may develop into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal before moving west-north-westwards towards the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast.

If the system reaches cyclonic-storm intensity, it will be named Cyclone Arnab. However, its development and future movement will depend on the evolving atmospheric conditions, and the IMD’s subsequent forecasts will be crucial in determining its likely path and potential impact.

Coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha are expected to be among the areas most affected by the developing weather system. The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in several locations, with increased rainfall activity likely across Odisha between October 27 and 29. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is also expected to receive heavy rain as the system approaches the eastern coastline.

Authorities and residents in vulnerable coastal areas will need to monitor official weather bulletins closely, particularly as the system’s intensity, movement and potential coastal crossing become clearer. The precise track, the timing of its approach and the location of any possible landfall remain uncertain at this stage.

West Bengal is also likely to experience changes in weather conditions as the system develops over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD expects daytime temperatures to fall by around two to three degrees Celsius in parts of southern West Bengal. Kolkata, meanwhile, may witness thunderstorms from October 28, bringing the possibility of rain and a temporary change in prevailing weather conditions.

The IMD has also advised fishermen not to venture into the sea from October 26 as the system intensifies and moves towards the coast. The advisory is intended to reduce risks associated with deteriorating sea conditions and the possibility of rough weather.

Apart from the eastern coastal states, rainfall warnings have been issued for parts of southern India, including Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, under the influence of prevailing weather systems. These forecasts indicate that several regions could experience unsettled weather in the coming days, although the intensity and distribution of rainfall may vary from place to place.

The possible development of Cyclone Arnab has drawn attention because of the potential for widespread rainfall along the eastern coast. The name Arnab was contributed by Bangladesh to the list of tropical cyclone names maintained for the North Indian Ocean under the regional naming system coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization and the IMD. The word “Arnab” means “ocean” in Bengali.

A weather system that developed in September had also raised the possibility of cyclonic development. However, it did not attain cyclonic-storm intensity and instead crossed the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha coast as a deep depression, bringing heavy rainfall to parts of the region.With the latest system now developing over the Bay of Bengal, the coming days will be important in determining whether it strengthens into a named cyclone and how significantly it affects the eastern coastline and neighbouring states.

Residents of coastal Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, along with people in West Bengal and other areas covered by rainfall warnings, are advised to follow official IMD updates and local administration advisories. Fishermen should strictly observe weather-related restrictions, while people in areas expecting heavy rain should remain alert to changing conditions.