It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross Barisal-Chittagong coast by this (Sunday) morning.
Country’s coastal districts, their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 2-3 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
The sky has remained overcast with dark clouds since Friday. Light to moderate rains were reported from the southern region and some other parts of the country, including the capital.
In the capital, incessant rains continued for several hours since early Saturday, forcing many city dwellers to remain indoors and pass their weekend idly.
Country’ most places are experiencing light to moderate rain as the depression over west-central bay and adjoining area moved east-northeastwards and intensified into deep depression over northwest bay and adjoining area.
The persistent drizzle caused long tailbacks on some city streets though it was the weekend. Commuters and private office-goers faced problems in reaching their destinations for lack of transports.
Roads and lanes adjacent to under-construction Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover in the capital turned muddy and slippery due to the rain, intensifying the pedestrians’ woes. The Met Office said under the influence of depression over west-central bay and adjoining north bay, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at places over Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, and Dhaka divisions today (Sunday) Besides, under the influence of the deep depression, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 2-3 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
The coastal districts and their offshore islands are likely to experience wind speed up to 50-60 kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the deep depression.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) on Saturday suspended the launch communication on five major routes with the capital due to rough weather.
“The launch communication of five major routes in the coastal region with Dhaka has been suspended due to inclement weather,” said Jainal Abedin, port officer of the BIWTA.
The launch communication has been suspended as the met office hoisted the cautionary signal number four at the coastal region, he said.
The major routes are Dhaka-Hatia, Dhaka-Betua, Dhaka-Rangabali and Dhaka-Dawlatkha.
All fishing boats and trawlers over north-bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter and remain in shelter till further notice.
It was centered at 12:00 noon yesterday about 630 kms west-southwest of Chittagong port, 595 kms west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 500 kms southwest of Mongla port and 495 kms southwest of Payra port.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the deep depression centre is about 50 kph rising to 60 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the deep depression centre.
Meanwhile, around 100 tourists at the Saint Martin’s Island got stranded as no ship went to the island on Saturday due to the turbulent sea, said Saint Martin’s Union Parishad Chairman Nur Ahmed.
He, however, said about 127 people have been evacuated from the island.
He said the visitors had been advised to ‘stay safe’ until the situation improved and that they would be sent to Teknaf once the weather got better.
According to Teknaf upazila administration, over 3,000 tourists visit the island daily on an average during this season. Many prefer to spend the night on the island.
Apart from these, rain continued to play spoil sports as torrential rain washed out without a ball being bowled in the third match between Barisal Bulls and Chittagong Vikings of 4th Bangladesh Premier League at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium at Mirpur in the city yesterday.
The match was finally abandoned at 4:10 pm after the ground was inundated. Earlier on Friday, the rain also washed out both the inaugural matches of the league.
