Bangladesh raised the storm danger signal to the highest level as cyclone ‘Bulbul’ intensified further and is likely to cross West Bengal-Khulna coast– near the Sundarbans– by Saturday evening or midnight.
“The coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number 10,” the Met Office said in a special bulletin.
“The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal no 10” said the special bulletin.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhir and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by a storm surge of 5-7 feet highest above the normal astronomical tide.
The maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal No 9.
The coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 9.
The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal No 4.
At 3pm, ‘Bulbul’ was about 240km southwest of Mongla port, 275km southwest of Payra port, 445km west southwest of Chattogram port, and 445km west southwest of Cox’s Bazar port.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 74kms of the very severe cyclone centre is about 120kph, rising to 140kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very high near the very severe cyclone centre.
Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, and Bagerhat are likely to experience wind speed up to 120kph with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the passage of the storm.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the government has taken all-out preparations to tackle the approaching severe cyclone ‘Bulbul’.
Earlier on Friday night, all the launch services were suspended amid the impending severe cyclone.
According to the Bangladesh Navy, kept five ships have been ready at Khulna BNS Titumir for emergency relief and rescue operations in Khulna, Barishal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, and Barguna.
source: UNB
