Distant cautionary No 4 at maritime ports

Desk Report: The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal No 4 as the cyclonic storm, 'Titli', over the West-central Bay and adjoining area moved north-northwestwards over the same area.

It was centring at 6 am on Wednesday about 945 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 900 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 815 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 815 kms south-southwest of Payra port, said a Met office special bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northwesterly direction.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the severe cyclone centre is about 90 kph rising upto 110 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre.

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

NDTV reports: Cyclone Titli is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by noon today.  The situation is being monitored at the highest level.

The national weather office IMD had issued a red alert yesterday over a deep depression present for some time over the Bay of Bengal that has intensified into a cyclonic storm and was heading towards the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast.

Titli is very likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours, the IMD had added.

The Odisha government has alerted all district authorities to prepare for emergency relief work. The IMD has also warned of heavy rain in West Bengal and north Andhra Pradesh. The Odisha government has announced the closure of all schools and colleges from today in four districts of the state as a precautionary measure against Cyclone in Odisha.



risingbd/Oct 10, 2018/Mukul