Signal 7 at maritime ports as Cyclone Mora nears

The cyclonic storm ‘Mora’ over east-central bay and adjoining area moved slightly north-northeastwards over East-Central Bay and adjoining North Bay and was centered at 9:00 am on Monday.

Maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to lower local warning signal no. 4 but instead hoist danger signal number 7 (r) seven.

The weather office bulletin further said the storm is about 530 kms south-southwest of Chittagong port, 445 kms south-southwest of Cox’s Bazaar port, 580 kms south-southeast of Mongla port and 510 kms south-southeast of Payra port.

The storm is likely to intensify further, move in a northerly direction and may cross Chittagong - Cox’s Bazaar coast by Tuesday morning, the bulletin said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the system.

Coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazaar, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number 7 (r) seven.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower local warning signal no. Four but instead hoist danger signal number 5 (r) five.

Coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number 5 (r) five.

Under the influence of the cyclonic storm ‘Mora’ the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazaar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazaar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur,  Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 62-88 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the cyclonic storm.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

Source: Prothom Alo