Dhaka, May 18 – With the intensification of an area of low pressure into a severe cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, partners and volunteers in the Rohingya camps have hoisted the “First Flag” of warning. Thousands of trained first responder volunteers from both the Rohingyas and the host community are working to share key information with the communities and to prepare in case the cyclone makes landfall in Bangladesh, said the UNHCR.
Key partners including Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IOM Bangladesh and Rohingya Response ISCG Cox’s Bazar are working in close partnership on the national Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP) of the government of Bangladesh.
Severe cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ over the southeast bay and adjoining southwest bay moved slightly northwards and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same area, according to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
As ‘Amphan’ came closer to Bangladesh coast by Sunday night, BMD has advised maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep hoisted local warning signal no. four (4).
According to the Times of India newspaper, the cyclonic storm is likely to move towards north-northeast direction and cross Digha (West Bengal)-Hathiya island (Bangladesh) on the afternoon/evening of May 20 with a wind speed of 155-165 kmph, says IMD director-general, Delhi.
Cyclone Amphan in the Bay of Bengal, intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 2.30 am today. It is expected to further intensify into a super cyclonic storm in the next 12 hours: Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, IMD director general, Delhi
