The super cyclone ‘Amphan’ over west-central bay and adjoining area moved north-northeastwards as an extremely severe cyclonic storm after slightly weakening. Under its influence, the coastal districts of Bangladesh started experiencing rain accompanied with gusty or squally winds from late Tuesday afternoon, according to reports received in Dhaka. It is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna and Chattogram on Wednesday afternoon or evening, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said in its weather forecast. Under the impact of the cyclone entire Bangladesh was overcast with clouds causing drizzles to rainfall at places including capital Dhaka.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 85 km of the cyclone centre is about 200 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/squalls. The sea will remain very high near the super cyclone centre.
Weather experts on Tuesday speculated extremely severe cyclone might be the strongest cyclone in the last 100 years. As it moves northeast Bangladesh will take its full brunt while the Indian states of Odisha and West Bengal is being affected with lesser fury.
Under the influence of the cyclone and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by a storm surge of 5-10 feet height of above normal astronomical tide.
The extremely severe Cyclonic Storm “AMPHAN” over Westcentral Bay and adjoining area lay over the same area ( Near lat 17.0, long 87.0) at 06 pm Tuesday (19.05.2020), it’s distance was about 775 km Southwest of Chattogram port, 730 km Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 660 km South-Southwest of Mongla port and 650 km South-SouthPayra west of port.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven. The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven.
The maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six. Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar their offshore islands while char areas will come under danger signal number six.
The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience a wind speed up to 140-160 kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the cyclone.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and will remain in shelter till further notice.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government has taken necessary preparations to face the super cyclone. He people from low lying areas have been evacuated to 12,078 shelters in 19 coastal districts.
The super cyclone is feared to cause heavy rains and possible flooding in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps, home to more than a million Rohingyas.
About two million people living in low-lying coastal regions of the country have been evacuated to shelters by Tuesday evening, said Dr Enamur.
‘Amphan’ will pose a ‘double challenge’ to Bangladesh as the country grapples to contain the spread of highly infectious coronavirus.
It will be difficult to maintain social distancing at the cyclone shelters and the situation will be disastrous if there are asymptomatic patients. News Desk with UNB
