Great Danger Signal 10 for Mongla, Payra; 9 for Chattogram

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued great danger signal number 10 for Mongla and Payra maritime ports and 9 for Chattogram port.

A BMD bulletin issued early Saturday said that very severe cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ is likely to move in a North/Northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal- Khulna coast near Sundarbans by this evening.

At 9am, cyclone ‘Bulbul’ was about 310 southwest of Mongla port, 335km southwest of Payra port, 490km southwest of Chattogram port, and 480km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port.

The Maximum sustained wind speed within 74kms of the very severe cyclone centre is about 130kph, rising to 150kph, the Met Office said.

Coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number 10, it said.

Besides, the Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal no 9.

The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to hoist local warning signal no. 4, said the bulletin.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni,Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be battered by wind speed upto 100-12kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ and the moon phase, the low lying areas of districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola , Patuakhali, Barishal, , Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet high above normal astronomical tide.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 130kph, rising to 150kph in gusts or squalls and will remain very high near the very severe cyclonic centre, the bulletin said.

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