Great danger signal 9 for Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar

Bangladesh has raised the storm alert to cautionary great danger signal 10 for Mongla and Payra seaports and signal No 9 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.

‘Amphan’ centred at 9 am on Wednesday about 525 km southwest off Chattogram port, 515 km southwest off Cox’s Bazar port, 345 km southwest off Mongla port and 370 km southwest off Payra port, said a Met office bulletin.

It is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near the Sundarbans this afternoon or evening, the bulletin said.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 10.

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

Amphan was moving to the north-northeast and had maximum sustained winds near 110 knots.

Dhaka/Sawon/Mukul