Kolkata, 28 October (H.S.): Cyclone Mantha, approaching the Andhra Pradesh coast, has now become more powerful. According to the Meteorological Department, as of Monday night, Mantha was approximately 430 kilometers from Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh). According to the latest update at 7 a.m. Tuesday, Mantha intensified into a severe cyclone at 5:30 a.m. IST.

By morning, Mantha was approximately 315 kilometers from Kakinada, 245 kilometers from Machilipatnam, and 385 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. The storm's speed has decreased slightly over the past six hours. It is now moving at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, down from 18 kilometers per hour. After drawing in significant amounts of water vapor from the ocean, it is expected to make landfall later this evening. Experts estimate that its course is unlikely to change now.

According to the Meteorological Department, Mantha is expected to make landfall somewhere between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Consequently, coastal authorities have been put on high alert.

The cyclone will cause significant sea turbulence. Fishermen in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh have been strictly warned not to venture into the sea until the evening of Thursday, October 30th.

Mantha is expected to cause heavy rainfall in several districts of South Bengal. From October 28th to 31st, rain accompanied by thunderstorms is expected in Kolkata, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, East and West Burdwan, Birbhum, and Murshidabad. Wind speeds can reach 30 to 40 kilometers per hour during this period.

The skies over Kolkata and South Bengal may begin to clear from Friday evening, but it will take a few more days for the humidity to decrease. As the water vapor in the air decreases, the cool feeling of autumn will return.

North Bengal will also experience the effects of 'Mantha'. The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in all districts of North Bengal from October 29 to 31. On October 30, heavy rainfall is expected in Malda, North and South Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Jalpaiguri. On October 31, very heavy rainfall is possible in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Jalpaiguri.

Wind speeds in North Bengal can also reach 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey