Cyclone Sitrang likely to hit by midnight or early Tuesday

Cyclone Sitrang is likely to intensify further, move in a north, north-easterly direction and cross Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by midnight or early Tuesday, the latest Met office bulletin said.

“Sitrang over east-central Bay, adjoining west-central Bay and north Bay, moved north-northwest wards over northwest Bay and adjoining northeast Bay,” said the bulletin.

Most parts of the country, including Dhaka, are seeing moderate to heavy rains since Monday morning under the impact of the approaching cyclone.

Authorities have prepared more than 7,000 cyclone shelters to evacuate people while all fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been asked to remain anchored until further notice.

Authorities in Chattogram and other hilly districts have warned that landslides could occur if incessant rains continue.

Besides, the low-lying areas of coastal Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar districts and their offshore islands and char areas are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surges at 5-8 feet, said the bulletin.

UNB correspondents from southern coastal region reported heavy rains and tidal surges since this morning.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep danger signal No 7 hoisted while for Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar it’s signal No 6.

Sitrang was centered at 12 pm on Monday about 440 km southwest of Chattogram port, 395 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 365 km south-southwest of Mongla port, and 335 km south-southwest of Payra port.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and three others offshore islands will come under danger signal 7.

Besides, the river ports of these districts have been advised to hoist danger signal 3.

The coastal districts of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and three other offshore islands will also come under danger signal 6.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88kph in gusts or squalls, it added.

North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty or squally winds of 50-60 kph due to cylone Sitrang.