Cyclone Dana: Signal 3 for ports, Sundarbans to face impact
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been instructed to hoist local cautionary signal 3 as Cyclone 'Dana,' currently situated over the East-central Bay of Bengal, continues to intensify while moving in a West-Northwesterly direction.
In light of the approaching cyclone, all waterway traffic has been suspended along the coastal region of Lakshmipur, Bhola, Patuakhali and Barisal routes.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the storm is expected to head toward India’s Odisha and West Bengal, with a possibility of strengthening further. BMD Assistant Meteorologist Kazi Zebunnesa said that Cyclone Dana is likely to make landfall between Thursday afternoon and early Friday morning. Its outer bands may affect the Sundarbans region of Bangladesh, and the storm could escalate into a severe cyclone before making landfall.
As of noon on Wednesday (October 23, 2024), the storm was centered near latitude 16.7°N and longitude 89.4°E, approximately 665 km West-Southwest of Chattogram, 600 km West-Southwest of Cox's Bazar, 640 km South-Southeast of Mongla, and 595 km South-Southeast of Payra. The maximum sustained wind speed near the storm’s center was reported at around 62 kph, with gusts reaching up to 88 kph, and sea conditions remain very rough in the vicinity of the cyclone.
All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take immediate shelter and stay close to the coast, prepared for worsening conditions.
Rainfall is expected to increase across Bangladesh starting tomorrow due to Cyclone Dana. The BMD forecast indicates that rain or thundershowers with gusty winds will affect most areas in the Khulna, Barishal, and Chattogram divisions, as well as parts of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy rainfall. Temperatures are expected to drop by 1 to 3 degrees Celsius during the day, with slight decreases in nighttime temperatures.
In coastal Satkhira, rainfall has already begun under the influence of the cyclone. Zulfikar Ali Ripon, officer-in-charge of the Satkhira Meteorological Department, confirmed that rainfall will likely intensify through Thursday and Friday. Shyamnagar Upazila Disaster Management Officer Shahinul Alam stated that 162 cyclone shelters have been prepared, with sufficient stock of dry food. Additionally, 2,980 members of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society’s Cyclone Preparedness Programme, including both men and women, are on standby to ensure the safety of residents.
Shyamnagar’s Water Development Board representative, SO Prince Reza, reported that about 360 km of embankments in the region are under threat, with 6-7 points deemed risky. Reinforcement work is ongoing in several areas. Executive Engineer Salahuddin of the Satkhira Water Development Board-1 added that 3 km of embankments are considered extremely vulnerable, but unless a major disaster occurs, these embankments are expected to hold.
In light of the approaching cyclone, all waterway traffic has been suspended along the Lakshmipur-Bhola and Barisal routes. Shariful Islam, Traffic Supervisor of Majuchaudhuri's Hat Launch Ghat, and Parvez Khan, Manager of the Lakshmipur-Bhola Ferry Ghat, confirmed the suspension of operations. Four ferries on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route have been halted until further notice. All passenger and goods transport on this route, a crucial link for 21 southern districts, will remain closed until conditions improve.
