Cyclone warning raised to danger signals at Bangladesh ports

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has raised cyclone Bulbul warning level to danger signals at the maritime ports as the storm is nearing the Bangladesh coasts with maximum sustained wind speed of 140 kilometres per hour.

The Met Office raised the warning level at Mongla and Payra ports to danger signal No. 7, and No. 6 at Chattogram on Friday evening.

Cox’s Bazar has been asked to keep hoisted cautionary signal No. 4.

Senior Meteorologist Aftab Uddin told bdnews24.com the cyclone was centred 620 kilometres south-southwest from Chattogram port, 585 kilometres south-southwest from Cox’s Bazar, 495 kilometres south from Mongla and Payra ports at 6pm.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the severe cyclone centre was about 120kmph rising to 140kmph in gusts or squalls at the time.

Sea will remain very rough near the severe cyclone centre, the Met Office said.

The storm is likely to intensify further and move in a north or northeasterly direction, the Met Office said in a special bulletin at 6pm.

Cyclone Bulbul may cross West Bengal-Khulna coasts near the Sundarbans by Saturday evening, according to the bulletin.

Under its peripheral influence gusty or squally wind may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh from Saturday early morning.

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

The coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No. 7.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm and the moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, 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.