'Roanu' starts crossing Barisal-Chittagong coast

The cyclone "Roanu" moved in a northeasterly direction further, started crossing Barisal-Chittagong coast near Chittagong and may complete crossing the coast during next 4-5 hours.

"The cyclonic storm 'Roanu' (Ecp 992 HPA) over northeast bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh moved northeastward further and was centred at 12:00 noon about 100 kms southwest of Chittagong port (near lat 22.00 n & long 91.00e)," the met office said in its latest bulletin number 19 issued in the afternoon.

It added that 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 cyclone centre. Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, gusty or squally wind is continuing over the coastal areas of Bangladesh. 

The bulletin kept intact the Danger signal number 7 for maritime ports of Chittagong, Mongla and Payra while Danger signal number six Cox's Bazar port.

Coastal districts of Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven (r) seven while coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number six (r) six.

The bulletin said under the influence of 'Roanu' the low-lying areas of the 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 are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 62-88 kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very falls during the passage of the storm.

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

Source: BSS.