Kolkata | Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab is likely to bring heavy rain to parts of West Bengal between October 28 and 30, the IMD said on Tuesday.

The storm, which lies over the west-central Bay of Bengal, is likely to move northwestwards and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast on the morning of October 28, it said.

In south Bengal, heavy rain is likely in South 24 Parganas, Purba and Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura and Paschim Bardhaman on October 28 and 29.

The IMD said Kolkata is likely to receive light to moderate rain over the next 48 hours.

In the sub-Himalayan region, heavy rain is expected in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri on October 29 and 30, it said.

The IMD is closely monitoring the storm's movement and direction ahead of its expected landfall on Wednesday morning, officials said.

Fishermen were advised not to venture into the sea until October 29, with warnings that conditions would remain rough to very rough under the influence of the storm, they said.

Squally winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are likely along and off the West Bengal coast and over the north Bay of Bengal, they added.