Cyclone Remal can rage for 7 hours

Strong Cyclone Remal in Bay of Bengal has hit the Mongla coast of Bagerhat. Its rampage can continue for seven hours in coastal areas. This information was informed in the latest special notification number 14 of the Meteorological Department on Sunday night.

According to the Meteorological Department, severe cyclonic storm 'Remal', which is located in North-West Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas, is moving northwards and is staying in the same area (21.2° North Latitude and 89.2° East Longitude). It was 310 km west-southwest of Chittagong seaport, 310 km west of Cox's Bazar seaport, 145 km south of Mongla seaport and 150 km west-southwest of Payra seaport at 6 pm today. The center of the severe cyclone has just crossed the West Bengal Khepupara coast towards the southwest of Mongla. The center of the cyclone will move further northwards and cross the coast in 1-2 hours and the full cyclone may complete its land crossing in the next 5-7 hours.

The maximum sustained wind speed is 90 km/h within 64 km of the cyclone center, increasing to 120 km/h in gust or gale form. The sea is rough in the vicinity of the strong cyclone center.

Payra and Mongla seaports have been asked to display distress signal number 10. Coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali and their nearby islands and chars will be under 10 (ten) distress signal.

Cox's Bazar and Chittagong seaports have been asked to display distress signal number 9. The coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur and their outlying islands and chars will be under the 9th Distress Signal.

The river ports of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Chittagong Cox's Bazar districts have been asked to show the maritime distress signal number 4.

Due to the influence of the leading edge of the strong cyclone and the excess of air pressure difference, the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and their distant islands and chars are lower than normal tides. May be inundated by wind-driven tides greater than 8-12 feet.

Heavy (44-88 mm/24 hours) to very heavy (289 mm/24 hours) rains with gusty winds may occur in Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong and Sylhet divisions under the influence of severe cyclone. Landslides may occur in hilly areas of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Chittagong due to heavy rainfall.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to remain in safe harbor till further orders.

RAR/Sa.A