Friday, October 30, brings a mixed picture for Kolkata and the rest of Bengal. Severe Cyclonic Storm Arnab has long since left the coast, and its remnant is now sitting over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha. But the sky has not fully cleared. Leftover moisture is still feeding showers across the state, and a fresh low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea is already being tracked by forecasters. If you commute across the city, travel to the districts or plan to head to the hills this weekend, here is what the latest forecasts say.
What the Weather Offices Are Saying Today
According to the Alipore Meteorological Centre, South Bengal can expect light to moderate rain today, with heavy rain possible at isolated coastal spots. Sagar Island could see up to 80 mm. Winds of 30 to 40 km/h are likely on Friday, with light rain at isolated places. Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia are expected to get widespread showers, while other South Bengal districts may see scattered rain.
Reports from Thursday point the same way. The remnant of Arnab was expected to weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area by Thursday night, and thunderstorms and rain are forecast across the state until Saturday. Sagar Island recorded 81.8 mm in the 24 hours to 8:30 AM on Thursday, the highest in the state for that period. Digha, Panskura, Itamogra, Tamluk and Gopiballavpur also logged between 70 and 80 mm in recent reports.
For Kolkata itself, the picture is gentler than the coast. Local coverage on Thursday described a cloudy day with light to moderate rain and no sunshine, with conditions expected to improve on Friday and no heavy rain forecast for South Bengal in the city’s immediate area. In practice, that means umbrellas still make sense, but a repeat of the deep waterlogging seen in the monsoon is not what forecasters are flagging.
A New Low Is Forming Over the Andaman Sea
The bigger story for the coming days is the second system. IMD officials said a new low-pressure area formed over the South Andaman Sea on Thursday morning. It is expected to move west-northwestward and strengthen into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal. One regional report expects it to become a well-marked low within about 24 hours, but timelines for intensification vary between sources and may change, so treat them as indicative rather than fixed.
It is worth remembering how this season has gone. Our earlier coverage of Cyclone Arnab and its Andhra landfall showed how a system far from Bengal can still push rain into the city. The same logic applies here: the new low does not need to come close to Kolkata for the outer bands and moisture to affect weather in the south and north of the state.
North Bengal: The Real Weather Risk This Weekend
The sharpest warnings are for the hills and the Dooars. Heavy to very heavy rainfall alerts have been issued for Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri, with heavy rain warnings for Kalimpong and Alipurduar. Rain is expected to continue on Saturday in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. Possible landslides in Darjeeling and Kalimpong are among the listed risks. Separately, heavy snowfall has been reported at Nathu La and Nathang Valley in Sikkim, so anyone planning a Sikkim or Darjeeling trip should check road conditions before leaving.
Practical Tips for Kolkata Residents and Travellers
- Carry an umbrella or light raincoat today, especially if you are heading towards South 24 Parganas, Howrah or Hooghly.
- Allow extra time for local trains and buses. Light rain slows road traffic in low-lying stretches even without heavy downpours. See our Kolkata tram guide and metro guides for alternatives.
- Stay indoors during lightning and avoid standing under trees or near electric poles.
- Fishermen are barred from going into the sea for the next 24 hours, and day trippers to Digha, Mandarmani and Sagar should postpone plans if conditions are rough.
- If you are travelling to Darjeeling, Kalimpong or Dooars this weekend, check with your hotel and the district administration about road status and consider delaying non-essential hill travel.
- Keep phones charged in case of power cuts during squally weather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will it rain in Kolkata today, October 30?
Light to moderate rain is possible, but conditions in the city are expected to be better than on Thursday. Heavy rain is more likely at isolated coastal spots in South Bengal.
Is Cyclone Arnab still affecting Bengal?
Arnab’s remnant is now over southern Chhattisgarh and adjoining south Odisha. Its leftover moisture is still contributing to rain in Bengal, but the cyclone itself is no longer a direct threat to the coast.
What is the new low-pressure system?
It is a fresh low-pressure area over the South Andaman Sea that IMD expects to intensify into a depression over the Bay of Bengal as it moves west-northwest.
Which parts of Bengal need the most caution this weekend?
Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar, where heavy to very heavy rain and landslide risk have been flagged.
The Bottom Line
Kolkata can expect a damp but manageable Friday, with no heavy rain flagged for the city. The real attention belongs on the coast, where rain is heavier, and on the North Bengal hills, where landslide risk is real. Keep an eye on the Alipore Meteorological Centre and IMD updates over the weekend, since the Andaman Sea low could shift the forecast quickly. We will update our weather coverage as conditions change.
Sources: forecasts and reports from the Alipore Meteorological Centre as reported by Asianet Newsable (October 29 and 30, 2026), India.com (October 29, 2026) and The Week (October 26, 2026). Forecasts are subject to change.
Featured image: People walking with umbrellas in the rain, photo by Dibakar Roy on Unsplash.
