Cyclone Mahasen moved slightly north-northeastwards Wednesday noon after it approached within around 700 kilometres of Bangladesh coastline.
It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross Patuakhali (Khepupara)-Teknaf coast near Chittagong by early Thursday, said a special bulletin of Met office.
According to Met office bulletin No 25, maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to lower local warning signal number four but instead hoist danger signal number seven.
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 number seven.
Mongla port has also been advised to lower local warning signal number four and hoist danger signal number five.
The coastal districts of Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number 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, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
Mahasen was centred about 815 kms southwest of Chittagong port, 750 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port and 695 kms south southwest of Mongla port at 12:00pm, the Met office bulletin added.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the storm centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls.
Sea will remain very rough near the storm centre.
Peripheral gusty or squally wind may affect coastal regions of Bangladesh from 10:00pm Wednesday.
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 or squalls with the passage of the storm.
The coastal districts of Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-90 kph in gusts or squalls with the passage of the storm.
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.
Source: The Daily Star
