Bangladesh seaports on alert as low intensifies into depression over Bay of Bengal

All fishing boats and trawlers have been advised to come closer to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice

The low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas has intensified, first into a well-marked low and subsequently into a depression, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The BMD warned on Saturday that the weather system might escalate further and turn into a cyclone storm.

The previous day, on Friday, the Met Office had reported the formation of a low in the sea and forecast that it could intensify further into a depression, and “even a cyclone”.

A special BMD weather bulletin said that at 6am, the depression was centered 1,320km south of Chattogram seaport, 1,245km south of Cox's Bazar seaport, 1,320km south of Mongla seaport, and 1,270km south of Payra seaport.

It is likely to move further west-northwestward and intensify into a cyclone.

The bulletin noted that within 44km of the depression centre, the maximum sustained wind speed is 40kmh, rising to 50kmh in gusts or squalls. The sea is rough near the centre.

The BMD advised the maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist distant cautionary signal No. 1.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and the deep sea have been asked to come closer to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.