Latest observations show that cyclone ‘Mahasen’ is slowly but surely heading towards the coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Preparations are underway to tackle its impact in vulnerable areas and the weekly holidays of government officials in the areas have been cancelled.
In the past four days, the route of ‘Mahasen’ was uncertain.
But, on Tuesday night, a Bangladesh Meteorological Department official, Shamsuddin Ahmed, said the cyclone was headed towards the Teknaf coast.
Similar prediction was also made in BBC’s weather forecast.
The cyclone will cross the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh and Myanmar, accompanying tidal waves of up to five metres, rain and gusts, it said.
The cyclone may hit any coastal area by Thursday, said Ahmed, the Deputy Director of Cyclone Warning Centre.
“Four things are clear now. Mahasen will cross coastal areas of Banlgadesh, its intensity has not increased, it is moving slowly, and it will hit anytime after Wednesday or on Thursday.”
At around 6:00pm on Tuesday, another Met Office official, Mohammad Shah Alam had had told bdnews24.com that ‘Mahasen’ might head for Odisha in India and not hit Bangladesh if it stayed on its course.
But, the storm had changed course, officials said.
The cyclone appeared stagnant for three hours since 9:00am on Tuesday. From 3:00pm to 6:00pm, it had advanced up to 12 kilometres.
One met official, seeking anonymity, said though the storm was expected to cross Teknaf and Myanmar coastal areas, it would impact the shorelines of Cox’s Bazar-Chittagong.
Officials say the storm is of medium strength, but, its true might can be gauged once it is within 500 kilometres of shoreline.
At 9:00pm on Tuesday, the Mahasen was located about 1,055 kilometres south-west of Chittagong port, 990 kilometres south-west of Cox’s Bazar port and 945 kilometres south south-west of Mongla port.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the storm centre is forecast to be about 62 Kph and rising to 88 kph in gusts and squalls.
Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla ports were advised to hoist warning signal ‘4’ and all fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels were suggested to stay close to the shore until further notice.
Preparations afoot
Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Abul Hasan Mahmud Ali said maximum preparations have been taken ahead of the storm in 13 districts. Holidays for government officials have been cancelled.
He was speaking after an inter-ministerial disaster management coordination committee meeting in the afternoon.
It was still uncertain at that time whether Mahasen would hit Bangladesh.
The minister urged all to remain calm and be prepared ahead of the cyclone, saying 49,365 volunteers are working to spread updates in the areas. “Currently there are 3,770 effective shelter homes.”
“If needed, primary schools will be closed and be made shelter homes,” Mahmud Ali said.
All districts having shorelines were supplied with additional Tk 300,000 and 100 metric tons of rice in advance to cope with post-cyclone impact. One medical team will be working in each Union along the shorelines.
Volunteers of Chittagong City Corporation, district administration and several other orgnisations were ready for ‘Mahasen’, local bdnews24.com office reported.
Warning announcements were being made on behalf of the administration.
Besides launching a control room, preparations have been made for evacuation, if necessary, said SM Abdul Quader, Chittagong Additional Deputy Commissioner and Convenor of a committee formed for the cyclone.
“Evacuation will take place once the danger signal rises. Force will be used if necessary.”
About 100 tonnes of rice were sent to seven coastal Upazilas with Swandip receiving 20 tonnes alone, he said.
As many as 520 cyclone centres were ready with 283 medical teams. Several schools and colleges were also prepared to become shelter homes, officials said.
Source: Bd news24
