Countrywide water transport service resumes

Staff Correspondent: With weather conditions improving gradually, water vessels have resumed their operation throughout the country after Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) lifted the great danger signal 10.

The BIWTA allowed the movement of water vessels across the country around 2:15pm on Tuesday as Cyclone 'Mora' made landfall today and crossed the coast of Chittagong, showing signs of weakening with reduced wind speed and rainfall, BIWTA public relations officer Mobarak Hossain Majumdar told media.

Earlier, the BIWTA directed all water vessels across the country to halt their operation as the weather condition started deteriorating gradually yesterday due to Cyclone 'Mora'.

In the latest special bulletin, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said "Cox's Bazar and Khepupara radar observation indicate that the coast crossing severe cyclonic storm 'Mora' moved northwards and crossed Cox's Bazar - Chittagong coast near Kutubdia from 6:00am to 12:00pm today and weakened gradually".

"It now lies over Rangamati region and adjoining area as a land deep depression," it added.

The storm is likely to move in a northerly direction further and weaken gradually by giving precipitation.

Under the influence of land depression steep pressure gradient persists over north-bay. Gusty or squally wind with rain or thunder showers is likely to continue over north-bay, the coastal districts and maritime ports of Bangladesh, it said.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till 9:00pm today.

They are also advised to proceed with caution afterwards, the bulletin added.

Earlier, the powerful cyclone packing winds of up to 117 kilometres per hour (kph) hit northeastern coastlines after overnight evacuation of thousands of people to safety and started crossing Cox's Bazar-Chittagong coast near Kutubdia at 6:00am.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 30, 2017/Shawon/Amirul