The cyclone, named as “Mahasen”, over the Southeast Bay and adjoining Southwest Bay is likely to intensify and is moving slightly northwards, after it changed its course early morning and was predicted to move in a north-northwesterly direction, according to the latest update from the forecast division of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
A meteorological department official Mahmudul Haque said the cyclone is still under observation and there is a likelihood of the cautionary danger signal going up.
The cyclone was located approximately 1,345km south-southwest from Cox’s Bazar, 1,425km south-southwest from Chittagong port and 1,350km south from the Mongla port until the last update.
Maritime ports and fishing boats in the Bay of Bengal were put on alert by the authorities on Saturday, as a cyclonic storm that had formed in the bay headed towards the country’s southeastern coast.
Officials said the storm was likely to intensify around Tuesday along the coast at Cox’s Bazar.
The met office asked all maritime ports to hoist cautionary signal number three, and advised all fishing boats in the bay not to venture too far until further notice.
“The government has put its disaster management department on alert, while Red Crescent Society volunteers were on standby to handle the situation,” Ruhul Amin, project coordinator of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme said.
Md Ruhul Amin, deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar district said: “We have already asked all fishermen not to go into deep sea, and alerted the local government authorities, including the union parishad chairman and members.”
He also told the Dhaka Tribune that they will intensify the alert after receiving further cautionary signals.
