A deep depression over the East Central Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a cyclonic storm named "Dana" as of 6:00 am on Wednesday, according to a special weather bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), reports UNB.
The storm was centred near latitude 16.0°N and longitude 90.0°E, approximately 695 kilometres west-southwest of Bhuttogtu port, 620 kilometres west-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 695 kilometres south-southeast of Mongla port, and 645 kilometres south-southeast of Payra port, it said.
The cyclone is expected to move in a west-northwest direction and may intensify further. Current forecasts suggest maximum sustained wind speeds of around 62 kilometres per hour, with gusts and squalls potentially reaching up to 88 kilometres per hour.
Sea conditions are expected to remain very rough near the cyclone's centre, the bulletin said.
Maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist cautionary signal-2.
All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay and deep sea have been instructed to remain close to the coast and exercise extreme caution until further notice, it added.
Bd-Pratidin English/ Afsar Munna
