A deep depression formed over the Bay of Bengal has developed into Cyclone Midhili. Its maximum speed is 62km per hour.
Four seaports have been asked to downgrade warning signal number 3 to warning signal number 4 and river ports to display naval warning signal number 2.
The Cyclone Midhili is just 330km off the coast since Friday morning. The storm is likely to cross the coast on Friday passing through Khulna division via Khepupara and Mongla. It may strike between noon and evening.
Meanwhile, heavy rains with gusty winds are continuing over the sea and coastal areas under the influence of the frontal part of the storm.
Apart from the coastal areas, it is raining in different parts of the country including Dhaka.
Meteorologist Hafizur Rahman said that the speed of the storm is not very high.
According to the special weather bulletin, the deep depression over northwest Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas has moved further north-northeast and intensified into Cyclone Midhili over the same area. It was 470km southwest of Chittagong sea port, 445km southwest of Cox's Bazar sea port, 330km southwest of Mongla sea port and 330km southwest of Payra sea port at 6am on Friday. It may move further north-northeast and intensify.
Heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy (more than 89mm) rains with gusty winds continued over North Bay of Bengal and coastal areas of Bangladesh and its outlying islands and reefs under the influence of the cyclone's advance.
Maximum sustained wind speed is 62km/h within 54km of the cyclone centre, increasing to 88km/h in gusty or gusty forms. The sea is very rough in the vicinity of the cyclone centre.
Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to lower local warning signal number 3 and display local warning signal number 4 instead. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to remain in safe harbour till further orders.
According to the notification, the weather forecast for the inland river ports of the country till 1pm on Friday said that temporary thunderstorm with rain or thundershower from east or south-east over Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Comilla, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar regions at 60-80km per hour. The wind can blow. The river ports in these areas have been asked to display naval warning signal number 2.
Apart from this, gusty or gusty wind may blow temporarily from the same direction with rain or thundershower at a speed of 45-60km per hour elsewhere in the country. The river ports in these areas have been asked to display warning signal number 1.