As the cyclonic storm Sitrang is approaching Bangladesh, the government has decided to suspend the operation of all types of water transport services across Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) took the decision in a meeting on Monday morning to shut down vessel movement until further notice due to the inclement weather.
Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower local cautionary signal No 4 and to hoist danger signal No 7.
Additionally, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar have been advised to hoist danger signal No 6.
The cyclone is likely to hit the coast of Bangladesh early Tuesday.
Now, the storm is located 500km far from the coast.
Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalkathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and their adjacent islands and chars will be under danger signal seven.
The coastal districts of Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and their remote islands and chars will be under danger signal number six.
The river ports of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalkathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chittagong and Cox's Bazar districts have been asked to hoist signal no three.
According to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the deep depression over the east-central Bay and adjoining areas moved north-westwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay.
Sea will remain very rough near the eye of the cyclone.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice
Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty or squally winds of 40-50 kph in addition to heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Under the influence of deep depression, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of coastal Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barisal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chittagong, Cox's Bazar districts and their offshore islands and char area likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 5-7 feet above the normal astronomical tide.
