State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said on Sunday that the deep depression over the Bay is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm this evening and 19 coastal districts will be at high risk.
If it turns into a cyclonic storm, it will be identified as “Sitrang” and it may make landfall in Bangladesh on October 25, he said while speaking at a press briefing over the cyclone issue, held at the Secretariat in the capital.
The cyclonic storm “Sitrang” will hit a 730 km area – from Cox’s Bazar to Satkhira districts – and the government has taken necessary steps to tackle the storm, he said.
Due to full moon, the tidal surge will likely increase to 3-5 feet above the astronomical tide, he said.
However, there is no possibility that “Sitrang” will not turn into a ‘super cyclonic storm’ and it may hit 19 coastal districts, he added.
According to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3 as the deep depression over the east-central Bay and adjoining areas moved slightly north-westwards further.
It was centered at noon on Sunday about 780 km south-southwest of Cox’s bazar port, 715 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 730 km south of Mongla port, and 695 km south of Payra port.
It is likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm and recurve initially north-westwards.
Sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
