Bangladesh raises cyclone warning to great danger signal 10 for Payra, Mongla

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked Mongla and Payra ports to hoist great danger signal No. 10 as the very severe cyclonic storm reached within 390 km of the country’s coastline.

The storm is expected to cut its path through the Bangladesh and West Bengal coast near the Sundarbans on Wednesday evening.

The Met Office has raised the cyclone warning to great danger signal 10 for Mongla and Payra ports and kept it unchanged at No. 6 for Chattogram and Cox`s Bazar, said meteorologist Abdul Hamid.

Under the influence of the cyclone, low-lying areas in coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surges climbing 10-15 feet above the normal astronomical tide.

Both Bangladesh and India began to evacuate thousands of inhabitants in the coastal areas.

The storm is expected to move northeast and cut its path through the Bangladesh-West Bengal coast near the Sundarbans by Wednesday evening.

The great danger signal is used when the wind speed crosses 89 kmph, which means the cyclonic storm will affect the ports as it passes through. Cyclone Amphan is moving north-westwards over the bay.

At 6 am on Wednesday, the very severe cyclonic storm was situated about 565 km southwest of Chattogram port, 545 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 390 km southwest of Mongla and 410 km south-southwest of Payra.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 90 km of the cyclone centre was about 200 kmph rising to 220 kmph in gusts and squalls.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur and the offshore islands and chars will come under the great danger signal No. 10.

Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and the nearby districts of Noakhali, Feni and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No. 6.

Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed of up to 140-160 kmph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the passage of the cyclone.

Fishing boats and trawlers have been advised not to venture into the deep sea.