A well-marked low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal and the adjoining Bangladesh coast has weakened into an ordinary low-pressure area, reducing the immediate risk of a major cyclone or very heavy rainfall along the state’s coastal districts, the MeT department (IMD) said on Wednesday.

The IMD said that the system’s gradual movement north-northwestwards towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast has diminished its influence over Bengal.

“The weather office reports that despite the weakening low-pressure, light to moderate rain is still likely over the coastal districts in the next 24 to 48 hours. Other districts in the state may also experience isolated, scattered showers,” the IMD said.

According to the weather department, light to moderate rain is likely over coastal districts such as South 24 Parganas and Purba Medinipur. Kolkata and neighbouring areas are expected to remain cloudy, with a slight increase in humidity, while temperatures stay close to normal.

North Bengal districts including Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar are forecast to remain largely dry in the coming days, the IMD added.

The Met office urged fishermen not to venture into the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjacent seas off Bangladesh and Myanmar for the next few days. Those already at deep sea have been advised to return to the coast promptly.

Experts said that the arrival of cool winds from the northwest, which signals the start of winter, may be slightly delayed due to the temporary increase in humidity.