Cyclone Montha forms in Bay of Bengal, seaports to raise warning signal

The cyclonic storm is expected to cross India’s Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening

The deep depression in the southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal has moved west-northwest and intensified into cyclonic storm Montha.

In a special weather bulletin on Monday, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said that, as of 3am, Montha was centred 1,360km southwest of Chattogram port, 1,300 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1,280km southwest of Mongla port, and 1,260km southwest of Payra port.

The storm is expected to move further west-northwest as it intensifies and cross India’s Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday evening or night.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 54km of the cyclone’s centre was about 62kph, rising to 88kph in gusts and squalls. The sea is expected to stay very rough near the centre of the cyclone.

The maritime ports at Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to lower distant cautionary signal No. 1 and instead raise distant warning signal No. 2.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay are instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

The last cyclone in the Bay of Bengal was Shakti, which formed at the start of October. The storm had little effect on Bangladesh.