The weather system has drawn attention across West Bengal. Rain and thunderstorms persist after a system moved inland from the Bay of Bengal. The system is now weakening, but its influence is still being felt through rainfall and unsettled conditions.
What Is Happening Now?
The Arnab storm in Bengal is not officially a cyclone. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the deep depression crossed the north Andhra Pradesh coast near Kalingapatnam. This occurred between late September 23 and early September 24. By September 25, it had weakened into a depression and was moving north-northwestwards over inland areas.
The latest Bay of Bengal deep depression update shows that the system is expected to weaken further. This means a change. The main concern shifts for eastern India. It now centers on rain, thunderstorms and localized weather disruption.
West Bengal Weather Conditions
The Arnab storm in Bengal has contributed to a spell of unsettled weather across parts of the state. IMD’s West Bengal weather update shows heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings for September 25. The warnings are expected to ease from September 26.
For Gangetic West Bengal, the IMD has listed heavy rain along with thunderstorm, lightning and squall-related conditions on September 25. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim have a very heavy rainfall warning for September 25, followed by a heavy rainfall warning on September 26.
Kolkata Weather and Rainfall
Kolkata has also seen significant rainfall during this weather spell. The Arnab storm in Bengal brought wet and cloudy conditions to the city, with the Kolkata-Alipore station recording 80 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on September 24.
The latest Kolkata heavy rainfall warning has focused on rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds. The Kolkata-Dum Dum forecast for September 25 calls for generally cloudy skies with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers, while light rain is forecast for the following days.
Is the System Becoming a Cyclone?
The Arnab storm in Bengal has sometimes been described online as a cyclone, but that description does not match the latest official classification. The IMD has said that the system weakened from a deep depression into a depression after moving inland.
An IMD weather warning West Bengal bulletin should therefore be read in terms of the actual hazards being forecast: rainfall, lightning, thunderstorms and gusty winds. The distinction is useful because a deep depression and a cyclonic storm are different categories based on sustained wind speed.
What Does the Name Arnab Mean?
The name has received attention because Arnab is part of the regional list of cyclone names for the North Indian Ocean. However, a name being present on the list does not mean that every depression automatically becomes a cyclone with that name.
The Arnab weather system update is therefore better understood through the system’s official classification rather than the name appearing in headlines. The current system has already moved inland and weakened, while its remaining effects are mainly connected with rain and thunderstorms.
What Should People Expect From Arnab Storm in Bengal?
The Arnab storm in Bengal is expected to have a decreasing influence as the system weakens. The storm impact on West Bengal is now more closely associated with rainfall and thunderstorms than with a direct coastal landfall.
Residents should still remain cautious during heavy showers. Water logging can slow traffic, while lightning and sudden gusts can make open areas unsafe. People traveling by two-wheeler should take extra care on wet roads and check local weather conditions before starting longer journeys.
The latest heavy rainfall in Bengal forecasts also show that conditions can vary from one district to another. A warning for one subdivision does not necessarily mean that the same intensity will occur throughout the state.
How Long Will the Rain Continue?
The Arnab storm in Bengal should gradually lose its influence as the depression weakens. The IMD’s September 25 subdivision-wise bulletin lists heavy rain and thunderstorm-related warnings for Gangetic West Bengal on September 25, with no warning listed from September 26 onward. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim have a longer rainfall warning window.
For Kolkata, the forecast indicates light rain may continue after September 25, even as the more active warning conditions ease. This means residents may still see cloudy skies and occasional showers without the weather system representing a new cyclone threat.
Safety Tips During Thunderstorms
The weakening system is a reminder that even a weather disturbance can produce uncomfortable and disruptive conditions. During thunderstorms, people should avoid open fields, isolated trees and exposed rooftops.
A Kolkata thunderstorm warning should be taken seriously when lightning and gusty winds are expected. It is better to move indoors, secure loose objects around balconies and terraces, and avoid unnecessary travel during the most intense part of a storm.
Final Takeaway
The Arnab storm in Bengal is best described as the weather activity associated with a deep depression that crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast and subsequently weakened after moving inland. It is not currently classified as a cyclone.
For West Bengal, the immediate issue is rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and occasional gusty winds. The latest forecasts indicate that the warning situation should ease, although light rain can continue in Kolkata and other parts of the state.
Following official IMD updates rather than unverified social media claims is the most practical way to understand changing weather conditions. As the system weakens, residents can expect the focus to shift from storm warnings towards the gradual return of more typical late-monsoon weather.



