Super Cyclone ‘Amphan’ is set to make landfall on the coast this afternoon or evening, with 200 kph to 220 kph wind speeds at its centre.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist great danger signal number 10 while Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to hoist great danger signal number 9.
At 12 pm on Wednesday, the cyclone was centered at about 480 km southwest off Chattogram port, 470 km southwest off Cox’s Bazar port, 290 km southwest off Mongla port and 320 km southwest of Payra port.
It is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coast near Sundarbans in the afternoon or evening.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 85 kms of the cyclone centre is about 200 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/ squalls. The sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.
Warning for coastal districts:
The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number No 10.
The maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal number No 9.
Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number No 9.
Storm surge warning:
Under the influence of the cyclone and the end day of last quarter moon, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 10-15 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
Wind warning:
The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakati, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 140-160 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the cyclone.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and will remain in shelter till further notice.
Evacuation until Wednesday noon:
The government has evacuated about 16.61 lakh people and 3.61 livestock to 14,636 shelter centres in the coastal districts until Wednesday noon.
“Until Wednesday noon 1,860,160 people and 3,610,505 livestock have been taken to shelter centres,” said Ali Reza Majid, additional secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Ministry.
Considering the intensity of the super cyclone ‘Amphan’, the shelter centres have been increased to 14,636, he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government has taken necessary preparations to face the super cyclone.
The Fisheries and Livestock Ministry has set up a control room to deal with the destruction likely to be caused by Amphan.
Situation in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Bhola
Local administration have evacuated 4 lakh people against the target of 17 lakh in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts until Wednesday noon.
“We’ve evacuated 4 lakh people to 3,007 shelters centres in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira districts until Wednesday noon,” said Hossain Ali Khandaker, additional divisional commissioner, Khulna Divisional control room.
In Bhola, about 3.16 lakh people and 1.36 livestock were taken to shelter centres of Charfashion, Monpura and other remote islands, said Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Masud Alam.
Meanwhile, thousands of people were brought to main land from remote islands, the DC added.
Over 7,000 people have been stuck in Kukri Char and Dhalchar while the roads in Dhalchar union have been inundated.
Source: UNB