Dhaka, Nov 07 – Cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ is likely to hit southwest coastal areas of Bangladesh between Saturday evening to midnight, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) yesterday. “The exact time when Bulbul will strike cannot be said now, but it may hit Bangladesh anytime after Saturday evening,” said Mosammat Ayesha Khatun, deputy director of BMD.
“Bulbul” was still about 600 kilometres away from the Bangladeshi coast and was advancing to per hours ten-kilometre towards Bangladesh and India’s West-Bengal, she said.
“We have kept the cyclonic storm’s nature of motion under observation,” the meteorologist added.
She said the height of the water can be increased from five to seven feet while the Bulbul will hit the coastal area.
However, the maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted cautionary signal No. 7 instead of signal no 4 and Chattogram ports has been asked hoisted cautionary signal no 6 and Cox’s Bazar signal no 4, according to the Met office.
The severe cyclonic storm “bulbul” over the west-central bay and adjoining east-central bay moved northwards, intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm “bulbul” (over the same area at 6 pm yesterday.
It was centred about 625 km southwest of Chattogram port, 585 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 495 km southwest of Mongla port and 490 km southwest of Payraport, the Met office said in a special weather bulletin.
It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northeasterly direction and may cross west Bengal- Khulna coast (near Sunderbans) by today evening. Under its peripheral influence, gusty/squally wind may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh from early morning today, according to the met office.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 km of the severe cyclone centre is about 120 kph rising to 140 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very high near the severe cyclone centre, the Met Office added.
Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhut, Barguna, Pirojpur, Patuakhgali and Bhola have been identified as vulnerable areas for the cyclone ‘Bulbul’, said an official of Met office.
However, around 1,200 tourists have been stranded in St Martin’s Island as ship services of Teknaf to St. Martin sea route has been halted due to adverse weather ahead of Cyclone ‘Bulbul’.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Md Ashraful Afsar ordered the halting of ship services until further notice after Maritime ports of Chattogram asked to hoist signal No 6 yesterday.
St. Martin Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmad said, “Enough security measures have been taken for the stranded tourists.”
“Hotels authorities have been asked to provide services to the tourists without any inconvenience. There are five cyclone shelters and several multi-storey buildings on the island. We will move the tourists there if Maritime ports raise signal no,” he added.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government has taken all types of preparation to combat the cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul.’
At that same time, the government also cancelled leave of officials and staff of 22 ministries as well as officials and staff on district and Upazila levels.
The ministry has asked all its officials and employees not to leave their respective stations during the period.
The minister came up with the decision after a meeting of ‘Bulbul’ monitoring cell at the secretariat yesterday.
He said already coastal centres as well as cyclone shelters were given instructions to keep ready. The directive was also issued to send 2000 packets of dry food and cash Taka 5 lakhs to each cyclone centre.
Loading and unloading of goods from mother vessels at the outer anchorage of Chattogram port remain suspended, according to Water Transport Cell and Chittagong Port Authority.
Besides, Bangladesh Water Development Board has cancelled the weekly holidays of all the employees of the board in the coastal districts.
Meanwhile, southwestern coastal districts have taken all-out preparations and kept 1377 cyclone shelters ready as severe cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ may hit the regions.– Staff Reporter
