Staff Reporter :
‘Hudhud’, a very severe tropical cyclonic storm, hit different parts of India on Sunday leaving at least six people killed, while the cyclonic storm caused heavy rainfall in several parts of coastal areas in Bangladesh that inundated a vast area of the coastal parts.
The cyclone-induced rains paralysed life and other activities of the affected coastal people. People coming to Dhaka suffered due to disruption of launch services under the influence of the heavy rainfall.
The ‘Hudhud’ hit the North Andhra and South Odisha coast near Visakhapatnam of India with gusts of up to 195 kilometres an hour (over 120 mph), uprooting trees, damaging buildings and killing the people despite a major evacuation effort, reports Reuters.
Officials of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Sunday said that deep convection was taking place over north of the Bay due to the ‘Hudhud’.
According to a special bulletin of the BMD, gusty or squally weather might continue over north of the Bay, coastal area and maritime ports of Bangladesh.
The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra were advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no-3. All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Gusty/squally weather may affect the North Bay, coastal area and maritime ports of Bangladesh as steep pressure gradient lies over the North Bay. Sea will remain rough.
Under the influence of this cyclonic storm, the low-lying areas of Bangladesh coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars inundated by wind driven surge.
Meteorologist Sanaul Hoque said that deep convection occurred over the North Bay under the peripheral influence of the cyclone, resulting in moderate to heavy rainfall across the country. Rainfall is likely to continue to fall over the country today (Monday).
About 300 tourists were stranded in Saint Martin’s Island, as they could not return to Cox’s Bazar due to rough sea.
The low-lying areas of Bhola were inundated in the influence the cyclone. Waters in the sea and the rivers were flowing above the danger mark. At least 20 chars of Bhola were inundated. The local administration took preparation to face any situation created by cyclonic storm.
