Severe cyclone changes course, to cross BD coast late 19 May

Dhaka, May 18 – The cyclonic storm “Amphan” over Southeast Bay and adjoining area moved northwards and intensified into a Very Severe Cyclone Storm over West-central Bay and adjoining South Bay (near Lat 13.4° N & long 86.4° E) 06 AM today (18 may, 2020), according to a forecast made by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and then re-curve north-northeastwards and may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during the late-night 19 May 2020 to afternoon/evening 20 May 2020.
According to the Times of India newspaper, the cyclonic storm is likely to move towards north-northeast direction and cross Digha (West Bengal)-Hatiya 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
BMD Forecast: Rain/thunder showers accompanied by lightning flashes and temporary gusty/squally wind is likely to occur at a few places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions and at one or two places overRangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka and Sylhet divisions. Heat Wave: Mild heat wave is sweeping over Khulna division and the regions of Dhaka, Madaripur, Rangamati, Noakhali, Rajshahi, Pabna, Barishal & Patuakhali and it may continue. Temperature: Day temperature may rise slightly and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.
UNB adds: It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and then re-curve north-northeastwards and may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during late night May 19 to afternoon or evening on May 20, according to the latest Met office bulletin.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman on Sunday said the government has taken necessary preparations to face cyclone ‘Amphan’.
As per the warning issued by the Meteorological Department if cyclone Amphan does not change its speed and course, it may the hit coastal districts by the early morning of May 19, said the state minister while speaking at a press briefing at his ministry’s conference room on the government’s preparations on the cyclone.
Deputy Commissioners of the coastal districts have already been instructed to keep cyclone shelters ready, he said.
While responding to reporters’ questions about maintaining social distancing at the cyclone centres, the state minister said the district administrations have already been directed to take necessary steps to increase the number of shelters so that people could maintain safe distance at the shelter centres.
More allocations will be made as per the demand of deputy commissioners, Enamur said adding that they have been instructed to make alternative arrangements if there is no electricity during the disaster.
Earlier, the state minister held an online meeting with the cabinet secretary, principal secretary to the Prime Minister, secretaries and senior secretaries to the ministries concerned and deputy commissioners of coastal districts on the preparations taken to tackle the cyclone.
Besides, Water Resources Ministry Secretary Kabir Bin Anwar on Sunday asked the officials concerned to take necessary preparations to face ‘Ampan’.
“The authorities concerned are requested to take necessary preparations as heavy rains and tidal surge are likely to occur …,” Anwar said.