Warning Signal No. 2 as depression turns into cyclone ‘Amphan’

A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm named “Amphan”, prompting Bangladesh Meteorological Department to ask the maritime ports to hoist Distant Warning Signal No. 2.

The storm over the southeast bay and adjoining southwest bay moved slightly northwestwards over the same area, the Met Office said in a special bulletin on Saturday night.

It was centred about 1,355 kilometres from Chattogram Port, 1,290km from Cox’s Bazar Port and Mongla Port and 1,270km from Payra Port at 9pm.

“It is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly direction,” the Met Office said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54km of the cyclone centre was about 62kph rising to 88kph in gusts or squalls.

Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised not to venture into the deep sea.

Meteorologists said the storm was gathering strength and approaching India’s Odisha and West Bengal coasts.

It would take three to four days for the cyclone to hit the coasts, according to weatherman Monwar Hossain.

A panel of WMO/ESCAP or World Meteorological Organisation/United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific named the cyclone following Thailand’s proposal as per the rules.

The next cyclone will be named “Nisorgo” following Bangladesh’s proposal, Meteorologist Ruhul Quddus said.

“Amphan” is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours from Saturday night and into a very severe cyclonic storm by Monday morning, according to the Indian Meteorological Department.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department started issuing special bulletin on the storm every six hours, according to Senior Meteorologist Abdur Rahman.

The Met Office also said a light heat wave may continue sweeping over Madaripur, Gopalganj, Rangamati, Rajshahi, Pabna, Patuakhali districts and Khulna Division on Sunday.

The maximum temperature in the country on Saturday was recorded in Jashore – 37.8 degrees Celsius. The highest temperature in Dhaka was 35 degrees Celsius.

Rain or thunder showers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Rangpur, Mymensingh and

Sylhet divisions. Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.

PREPARATIONS

Md Mohsin, the director general of the Department of Disaster Management, said they were preparing to tackle the storm amid the coronavirus crisis.

They were holding meetings with the officials of the disaster management and relief ministry.

“We are aware of the coronavirus infection risk if we need to evacuate. We’ve asked 19 coastal districts to set up more storm shelters,” Mohsin said.