Cyclone Hamoon crossing Cox’s Bazar, Ctg coasts
The severe cyclonic storm Hamoon -- over the Bay of Bengal -- has started crossing Cox's Bazar and Chattogram coasts from 6:00pm.
Meteorologist Monowar Hossain of Met office confirmed the matter to The Daily Star at 7:00pm.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Hamoon was crossing Cox's Bazar and Chattogram with heavy rainfall and tidal surge in the coastal districts of southern parts of the country, said the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The centre of Hamoon is likely to make landfall around 9:00pm.
According to a special bulletin of the Met office, the body of the severe cyclonic storm Hamoon started crossing the coast since 6:00pm. It is likely to move northeastwards and may complete the crossing Cox's Bazar-Chattagram coast near Kutubdia during the next eight to 10 hours.
It was centred at 6:00pm about 160km southwest of Chattogram port, 120km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 225km southeast of Mongla port, and 135km southeast of Payra port.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 54km of the storm's centre is about 62 kmh rising to 88 kph in gusts/squalls. The sea will remain very rough near the cyclone.
Many trees have been uprooted in Cox's Bazar coast due to the storm. Numerous small shops near the sea beach area have been destroyed, reports our Cox's Bazar staff correspondent.
Maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to hoist danger Signal 7 while Cox's Bazar and Mongla ports have been asked to hoist danger Signal 6 and 5 respectively as cyclonic storm "Hamoon" intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the northwest Bay.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended operations of all types of river vessels on all inner routes as the depression in the Bay turned into cyclonic storm Hamoon.
The government has asked people of 10 vulnerable coastal districts to move to shelters by 8:00pm.
The 10 vulnerable districts are Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Barguna, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur and Chandpur.
Medical teams have been formed and a huge quantity of emergency medicines and medical accessories have been kept ready, State Minister for Disaster and Relief Management Enamur Rahman.
Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued Alert 3, the second highest security alert of the port, this morning after the Met office advised ports to hoist danger signal 7 due to "Hamoon".
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