Cyclone ‘Mora’: BIWTA halts operation of all water vessels

Staff Correspondent: Bangladesh Inland Water Transportation Authority (BIWTA) has directed to halt the operation of all water vessels across the country as the weather condition started to deteriorate gradually.

The directive was given from 1:00pm on Monday.

All fishing boats and trawlers across the country have been asked to discontinue their operation from 1:00pm today due to Cyclone ‘Mora’. The instruction will be effective until further notice is issued in this regard, BIWTA public relations officer Mobarak Hossain Majumdar told media.

The cyclonic storm was centred at 12.00am on Monday about 480 kms South-Southwest of Chittagong port, 400 kms South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 540 kms South of Mongla port and  470 kms South of Payra port, said Met office special bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during next 18 hours, move in a Northerly direction and may cross Chittagong coast by morning of Tuesday.Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts/squalls.

The maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal No 7 as the cyclonic storm "Mora" over east-central bay and adjoining area moved slightly northwards over the same area.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal No 5.

Sea will remain very rough near the system.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and remain in shelter till further notice.

The cyclonic storm was centred at 9.00am on Monday about 525 kms South-Southwest of Chittagong port, 445 kms South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 580 kms South of Mongla port and 510 kms South of Payra port, said Met office special bulletin.

risingbd/DHAKA/May 29, 2017/Shaon/Amirul