Warning raised to great danger No 10 as ‘Amphan’ set to make landfall today

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra, and 11 districts have been advised to hoist great danger signal No 10 as cyclone ‘Amphan’ is set to hit the coastal belt this (Wednesday) afternoon or evening. The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur and Chandpur, and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 10.

The maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to lower danger signal No 6 but instead hoist great danger signal No 9. Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 9.

The cyclone over the northwest bay and adjoining northeast bay and west central bay moved north-northeastwards and lies over the same area. The cyclone was centred at 9am on Wednesday about 525 km southwest off Chattogram port, 515 km southwest off Cox’s Bazar port, 345 km southwest off Mongla port and 370 km southwest off Payra port, said a Met office special bulletin.

It is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near the Sundarbans in the afternoon or evening, it said. Maximum sustained wind speed within 85 kms of the cyclone centre is about 200 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/squalls. The sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.

Storm surge warning

Under the influence of the cyclone and the end day of last quarter moon, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Chattogram, and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 10-15 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

Wind warning

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 140-160 kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the cyclone. All fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and will remain in shelter till further notice.