608 shelters ready in Khulna to face Amphan

A total of 608 cyclone shelters have been kept ready in Khulna as the severe cyclone Amphan is approaching to hit the coastal districts of the country.

Government authorities have opened district and upazila-level control rooms to monitor the situation and cancelled holidays of its staff.

The very severe cyclonic storm Amphan in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a super cyclone and is moving towards Bangladesh coast.

Amphan may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during Tuesday late night or Wednesday afternoon or evening,” the Met Office said in a special bulletin.

According to Marine Bulletin of 9.00am on Tuesday, it was centred at about 703km South-Southwest of Mongla Port. The sky in the Khulna region is cloddy.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 90 kms of the cyclone centre is about 225 km per hour, rising to 245 km per hour in gusts. Sea will remain very high near the centre, said the bulletin.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal 7. Meanwhile, maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar were told to hoist danger signal 6.

Khulna/Nuruzzaman/Mukul