Bangladesh raises danger signals to level 7 at Mongla as Amphan moves closer

The Met department of Bangladesh has raised the danger signal to seven at the maritime ports of Mongla and Payara as the cyclone Amphan intensified into Category-5 cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. Category-5 cyclone suggests highest windspeed crossing 157 kilometres per hour.

 

The maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been asked to hoist the danger signal number six as the Very Severe Cyclonic storm Amphan moved northwards and intensified over the west central bay and the adjoining south bay.

 

The Met Department of Bangladesh said that the storm is likely to intensity further and move in a northerly direction and then recurve north-northeastwards crossing Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during late night of 19th May to afternoon or evening of 20th of May.

 

The Met Department said that the storm is situated about 1,075 kilometres south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1,015 kilometres south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 985 kilometres south-southwest of Mongla port and 970 kilometres south-southwest of Payra port.

 

The bulletin said that maximum sustained speed within 85 km of the storm centre is 210 kilometres per hour (kmph) rising to 220 kmph in gusts. Sea will remain very high near



the cyclone centre.

 

The Met Department warned that low lying areas of coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Bhola, Barisal, Noakhali, Chattogram among others and their off shore islands are likely to be inundated by storm surge of four to five feet height above normal tide. These areas are also likely to experience wind speed between 140 and 160 kilometres per hour with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the passage of the storm.

 

The Met department has instructed all the boats and trawlers over the North bay and deep sea to take shelter immediately and not venture into the sea till further notice.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Enamur Rahman said, the government has taken all necessary preparations to confront Cyclone Amphan.

Speaking to media on yesterday, he said that the Deputy Commissioners of all the coastal districts have been instructed to prepare the cyclone shelters for evacuation of the affected people. He said that the District Administration has been asked to increase the number of Cyclone shelters so that people can take shelter while maintaining the social distance in view of the Corona crisis.