'Fani' to intensify into cyclonic storm soon, bring mild rain in Bengal

Kolkata: The cyclone 'Fani', which is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm, will have no major impact in Bengal other than some occasional rains accompanied with gusty wind, predicted the Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore.

There has been a deep depression created over the Bay-of-Bengal off Andhra Pradesh coast and it will turn into a cyclonic circulation, resulting in heavy rains in Tamil Nadu and some parts of Odisha, before the cyclone change its direction to Bangladesh and Myanmar within May 4.

A senior weather official said that South Bengal districts including the city will witness scattered rainfall between April 3-5 due to the impact of the cyclone. A strong wind may be sweeping through the state. As the intensity of the wind will be lower, there will be no major impact in the state.

"A squally wind is expected to hit the state with an approximate speed of 40-50 km per hour along with rains. The city may also receive light to moderate rain between April 3 and April 5 due to the cyclonic storm. There may be heavy rainfall in isolated places," a weather expert said.

The rain may bring some relief for the people in the state by the end of this week. Thunderstorms have remained elusive for quite some time in the city, resulting in the mercury climbing steadily.

The people in South Bengal continue to burn under the scorching sun, with temperatures shooting above 40 degree Celsius in the most of the Western districts. People have been experiencing a sultry uncomfortable weather due to the high level of humidity.

The city will remain hot and humid at least till next Friday. There is no system in the region that can trigger a thunderstorm ahead of May 4. Warm winds are blowing into Gangetic Bengal from Northwest and Central India.

A heat-wave like condition is prevailing in the districts of Bankura, Purulia, Birbhum and Jhargram. The impact is also felt in Kolkata and some other South Bengal districts. Easterly winds are carrying in some moisture from the sea but they are unable to reduce the heat.