‘Amphan’ Intensifies into ‘Super Cyclone’

Very extreme cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ intensified into a ‘Super Cyclone’ on Monday evening, the Met Office said.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal 7. Meanwhile, maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar were told to hoist danger signal 6.

Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and char will be under danger signal 7.

In the meantime, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and their offshore islands and char are under danger signal 6.   

Coastal districts are likely to experience wind of up to 140-160 km / h with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the storm.

The Super Cyclone was approximately 1,045 km south-southwest of Chattogram Port, 990 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar Port, 955 km south-southwest of Mongla Port and 940 km south-southwest of Payra Port. 

It is likely to move in a Northerly direction and then re-curve North-Northeastwards.

“‘Amphan’ may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during Tuesday late night or Wednesday afternoon or evening,” the Met Office said in a special bulletin.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 90km of the cyclone center is about 225kph rising to 245kph in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very high near the cyclone center.

Under the influence of the super-cyclone and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and char are likely to be swamped by a storm of 4-5 feet above the normal astronomical tide.

These districts are likely to be affected by wind blowing at speeds of up to 140-160kph in gusts/squalls with moderate to very strong rainfall during the storm.

All fishing boats and trawlers around North Bay and deep sea have been told to take shelter immediately and stay in shelter until further notice.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government has taken necessary preparations to face ‘Amphan’.

He said cyclone shelters have been kept ready in 19 coastal districts.

Source: UNB