Great danger signal 10 for Mongla, Payra

Bangladesh has raised the storm alert to cautionary great danger signal 10 for Mongla and Payra seaports and signal No 6 for Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar ports, as Cyclone Amphan is moving further to the north-west.

The Super Cyclonic Storm ‘Amphan’ over West Central Bay of Bengal is moving north-northeastwards with a speed of 15/17 kilometres per hour (kmph) during past 06 hours.

It is likely to move north-northeast wards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha and Hatiya islands, close to the Sundabans during afternoon to evening hours on Wednesday with maximum sustained wind speed of 155-165 kmph gusting to 185 kmph.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 85 kms of the cyclone centre is about 200 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very high near the super cyclone centre.

Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number 10.

Maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal nubmer six.

Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number six.

Under the influence of the cyclone and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 10-15 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 140-160 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the cyclone.

Dhaka/Mukul