Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore on Tuesday said a deep depression has intensified into cyclonic storm which may hit the South Bengal districts in the next 48 hours.
The deep depression over West Central Bay-of-Bengal moved towards West-Northwestwards with a speed of around 80 km/hour and intensified into cyclonic storm — 'Titli' — that will hit the state within the next two days.
A senior official at Alipore MeT office said the depression over west central Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm 'Titli', located about 530 km southeast of Gopalpur in Odisha and 480 km east-southeast of Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
It is likely to intensify further into severe cyclonic storm during the next 48 hours. It will finally move towards the west-northwestwards and then again towards the northwestwards and cross Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coasts in the morning of October 11, the official added.
According to the weather office prediction, the South Bengal districts will receive moderate to heavy rainfall ahead of Durga Puja. The state government has already issued an alert to the coastal districts urging to take adequate measures. Fishermen have been asked not to voyage into the sea in the wake of the prediction of the cyclonic storm.
There is a possibility of light rainfall in the city during the Puja days. Though the cyclonic storm may not have any major impact on people in the city during Durga Puja. The coastal districts of the state may receive moderate to heavy rainfall before Durga Puja. It may be mentioned that the cyclone warning for districts of North Andhra Pradesh and South Odisha coasts has also been issued.
As per the weather office prediction, the districts which will receive maximum rainfall during the period between October 11 and 13 include North 24-Parganas, South 24-Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Burdwan, Murshidabad, Nadia, East Midnapore and West Midnapore. There is also a prediction of scattered rainfall in the city during this period. The situation may improve in the state after cyclonic storm moves towards Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
"There is no prediction of heavy rainfall in the city as of now. Though there may be some drizzle in the some parts of South Bengal districts during the Puja. Some districts will receive moderate to heavy rainfall ahead of Durga puja," an official from the Alipore Met office said.