Cyclone Amphan: Warning signal 4 issued for maritime ports

Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local warning signal number 4 as cyclonic storm 'Amphan' approaches.

'Amphan' moved northwestwards over the southeast Bay and adjoining southwest bay, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in a special weather bulletin issued this morning.

At 6:00am, it was centred about 1,345 kilometres south-southwest of Chattogram Port, 1,280km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar Port, 1,275km south-southwest of Mongla Port and 1,255km south-southwest of Payra Port.

"It is likely to intensify further and move in a northwest direction," the Met Office said.

The maximum wind speed within 54km of the cyclone centre was about 62km per hour, rising to 88kph.

Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre, the bulletin said.

Fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

"They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea," the Met Office said.