Tourists asked to leave St Martin's Island

Tourists were asked to leave St Martin's Island by Monday afternoon due to inclement weather caused by a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

The local administration has also imposed a ban on the movement of all kinds of vessels on the Teknaf-St Martin's, St Martin's-Cox's Bazar and St Martin's-Chattogram routes from Tuesday.

"All tourists in St Martin's Island have been asked to leave by 2:30pm today for their safety. Tourists have been asked to return to Teknaf," said Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Adnan Chowdhury on Monday.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a special weather bulletin has advised maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra to hoist local cautionary signal number three as the depression over West Central Bay and adjoining area intensified into a deep depression.

Under its influence deep convection is taking place over North Bay as squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas, the bulletin added.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls.

The sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast so that they can take shelter within very short notice.

/KN/