Operation of water vessels stopped countrywide

The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended the operation of water vessels countrywide ahead as the severe cyclonic storm "Hamoon" is set to hit the coastline in a matter of hours.

Until further notice, the operation of water vessels is to remain suspended, according to a BIWTA notice issued on Tuesday.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its latest bulletin asked maritime ports of Payra and Chattogram to keep hoisted Danger Signal Number Seven while Six for Cox's Bazar and Five for Mongla as the severe cyclonic storm Hamoon further intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm.

It may cross the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Meghna estuary by late night to morning on Wednesday as a cyclonic storm while it is likely to move north-northeastwards, said the met office in its bulletin number 11.

Now the storm lies over Northwest Bay and adjoining Northwest Bay and was centered at noon today about 215 kms southwest of Payra port, 250 kms southwest of Mongla port, 295 kms west-southwest of Cox's Bazar port and 330 kms west-southwest of Chattogram port after moving northwestwards.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kilometres (KMS) of the storm centre is about 120 kilometres per hour (KPH) rising to 130 KPH in gusts or squalls while the sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.

Under the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm, heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy (up to 89 or above) rainfall with gusty and squally wind is continuing over the North Bay and coastal area of the country.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

The bulletin said that the coastal districts of Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Borguna, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number Seven.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number five.

Under the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind-driven surge of 3-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

Under the influence of a very severe cyclone, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience heavy rainfall (up to 89mm or above).

Due to very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram.

/KN/