Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ likely to hit Khulna in evening
Great danger signal 10 for Mongla, Payra; 9 for Chattogram
Cyclonic storm “Bulbul” is likely to hit coastal areas of Khulna and West Bengal by this evening, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
“Bulbul” is heading towards the country’s coastal regions from the Bay of Bengal with a maximum sustained wind speed of 130 kmph rising to 150 kmph in gusts, Ashraful Alam, Assistant Meteorologist of the Dhaka met office, told The Daily Star.
Nine coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars were identified as risky for the cyclone, he added.
Char and low-lying areas of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur and Feni and Chandpur are also under threat, the meteorologist added.
Ashraful said the cyclone will trigger tidal surges in the sea and rivers when it hits the coastal regions.
“The cyclone will pass through mid-west region which may bring heavy rainfall or thunder showers accompanied by gusts across the country including Dhaka”, he said.
Low-lying areas of the coastal districts are “likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide” because of the approaching cyclone.
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The met office, in a special bulletin, asked Mongla and Payra ports to hoist great danger signal-10 as cyclone “Bulbul” is approaching towards the country’s coastal belt and is likely to make landfall in the Sundarbans this afternoon.
It advised to hoist great danger signal No 10 for nine coastal districts in the region while danger signal No 9 for the maritime port of Chattogram and five nearby districts.
Besides, the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to hoist local warning signal no. 4, according to the bulletin.
The government has taken measures to face “Bulbul”. Cyclone shelters have been opened in the coastal regions and holidays of government staff in 13 coastal districts have been cancelled.
Launch services were suspended on Friday night.
Meanwhile, the Navy said it has kept five ships ready at Khulna BNS Titumir for emergency relief and rescue operations in Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, and Barguna.
