Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ starts crossing Bangladesh coastlines

The cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ started crossing the southwestern Bangladesh coastlines packing winds up to 100 kilometres per hour early today as it completed crossing West-Bengal-Khulna coast near Sundarbans, reports BSS.

“Cyclonic storm “Bulbul” appeared weaken and now it is now crossing coastal districts of the country with a wind speed ranging from 80kph to 100kph,” Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, an official of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told BSS.

The coast-crossing-severe-cyclonic-storm ‘bulbul’ moved slowly northeastwards and completed crossing west Bengal-Khulna coast near sundarbans at about 5 this morning and now lies over khulna and adjoining southwestern part of Bangladesh.

“It is likely to move in a northeasterly direction and weaken gradually. Under its influence sea will remain very rough near the severe cyclone centre,” a Met Office weather bulletin said.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisting great danger signal no 10 while coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will also come under this great danger warning.

Maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisting great danger signal no nine as coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laximipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars have come under the cautionary.

Besides, local warning signal number four has remained in place for maritime port of Cox’s Bazar.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laximipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm “bulbul” and the moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

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