Cyclone Mahasen Slowly Comes to Bangladesh

 

Cyclone Mahasen moved slightly north-northeastwards Wednesday afternoon after it approached within around 600 kilometres of Bangladesh coastline.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross between Patuakhali (Khepupara)-Teknaf coast near Chittagong by early morning on Thursday, said a special weather bulletin of the Met office.

Its peripherial gusty/squally wind may affect coastal regions of Bangladesh from 10:00pm on Wednesday, the bulletin added.

Maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No. seven.

It was centred about 755 kms south southwest of Chittagong port, 695 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port and 635 kms south southwest of Mongla port.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the storm centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the storm centre.

The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No. seven.

On the other hand, maritime port of Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No. five.

The coastal districts of Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No. five.

Under the influence of the storm the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of five to seven feet height above normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur, and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 90-100 kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the storm.

The coastal districts of Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-90 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the storm.

Due to very heavy rainfall, landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Chittagong division.

All fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels over north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief on Wednesday sent a list containing guidelines and precautions for the locals to the deputy commissioners’ offices of the vulnerable districts, ministry sources said.