Maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no seven. The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven. Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been asked to keep hoisted danger signal no. five. The coastal districts of Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number five. The clyclonic storm “KOMEN” over Northeast bay and adjoining Bangladesh coast moved slightly Northeastwards here on Thursday morning, according to a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The deep depression over the Northeast bay and adjoining Bangladesh coast moved slightly north-northeastwards over the same area and intensified into a cyclonic storm, ‘Komen’ on Wednesday night. Saint Martin Island and Teknaf were affected by the peripheral gusty/squally wind of the cyclonic storm after mid-night last night and it was centered at 6am about 75kms Southwest of Chittagong port, 80 kms Northwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 200 kms East-Southeast of Mongla port and 115 kms Southeast of Payra Port. It is likely to move in an East-Northeasterly direction and may cross Chittagong coast around noon. Under its influence squally weather is continuing over North bay, adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh and the maritime ports. Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the system centre. Under the influence of the cyclonic storm the low-lying areas of coastal districts Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 3-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide. Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, coastal districts Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Borguna, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore island and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 70-90 kph in gusts/squalls with heavy rain falls. Due to heavy rainfall, landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Chittagong division. All fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels over North bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice. –Dhaka, Jul 30 (UNB)
