Cyclone Sitrang Loses Strength: Met Office

Cyclonic storm Sitrang has lost its strength as it made landfall and its centre touched Bangladesh coastline nearly five hours ago around 9pm on Monday.

"Sitrang has lost its strength a lot as it started crossing coastline since 9pm on Monday. Every cyclone starts losing strength after it landfalls and its eye moves over land," meteorologist Md Shahinul Islam of Bangladesh Meteorological Department told BSS.

He said it can no longer be called as a severe cyclonic storm.

Earlier, BMD meteorologist Dr Muhammad Abul Kalam Mollik said the cyclonic storm "Sitrang" started crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at 9pm on Monday.

He said it may complete crossing the coast during next 03-04 hours by 1am to 2am on Tuesday.

BMD issued its last bulletin at 10pm saying the maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls.

Maritime ports of Mongla, Payra and Chattogram have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no. seven (r) seven, the bulletin said.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Nakhali and Feni and their offshore islands will remain under danger signal no. seven (r) seven and are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 88 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.

Maritime port of Cox's Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no. Six (r) Six.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will Remain under danger signal no. Six (r) Six and are likely to experience heavy or very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 75 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.

Other districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 50-60 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.

River ports of the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Faridpur, Dhaka, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Cox's bazar have been advised to keep hoisted riverine danger signal no. Three (r) Three.

Under the influence of the cyclone, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 05-08 feet above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice. However, over 2.19 lakh people from 15 coastal districts of the country were evacuated until 5 pm on Monday while more were expected to take makeshift refuge in safe shelters overnight.

"At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts by 5pm Monday," a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman told BSS on Monday evening.

A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was underway to minimize human casualties as "we have kept ready 6,925 cyclone centers" expecting the last person exposed to cyclone dangers to take refuge there.

All the educational institutions of Khulna, Barishal and Chittagong divisions will remain closed tomorrow due to cyclone Sitrang.

The Ministry of Education has given instructions to use the educational institutions in the cyclone-affected areas as shelters, according to a press release of the education ministry.

The ministry said classes of the educational institutions which will be used as shelters will be closed until further orders. A total 17 ships of two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and two helicopters of Bangladesh Navy have completed all necessary preparations for deployment in Chattogram, Khulna and Mongla naval areas to conduct emergency rescue, relief and medical assistance activities after cyclone 'Sitrang' hits the coastal region.

These ships have already been prepared with relief goods to provide emergency rescue, relief and medical assistance for the cyclone victims as soon as possible, said a press release of Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate on Monday evening.

In addition, naval contingents have been kept ready for deployment after the cyclone lashes the coastal areas.

Three airports at Bangladesh's coastal belt in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Barishal will remain closed till 12 pm on Tuesday due to the inclement weather induced by the cyclone Sitrang.

The Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided to shut down all operation of these three airports from 3 pm on Monday to 12 pm on Tuesday, according to a CAAB press release.

The CAAB will review its decision after observing the weather situation, said the release.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman has said directives have been given to evacuate people from the vulnerable areas.

The Agriculture Ministry has suggested cutting Aman rice, which is 80 percent ripe, to minimise the possible brunt of the approaching cyclonic storm Sitrang.

The direction was given along with a set of directives in a preparatory meeting of the ministry on Monday.

Leave of all officers and employees of offices and organisations under the ministry has been canceled and they have been asked to stay in office constantly to face the urgent situation.

It suggested opening control rooms at agriculture department offices at district and upazila levels to keep communication round-the-clock.

Farmers should be given necessary suggestions to take pre-cautionary measures and face the post-cyclone situation.