Amphan now 725km off Bangladesh’s coast

The super cyclonic storm "Amphan" was laying over west-central Bay and adjoining area and moving north and northeast-wards this morning.

With the surge of 5-10 feet height above normal astronomical tide and up to 140-160 kph wind speed, Amphan may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram late tonight.

Amphan, which formed in the Bay of Bengal on Saturday, was located 725km south-southwest of Payra port at 9:00am today, according to the special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

At the same time, it was traced about 845km southwest off Chattogram port, 795km southwest off Cox's Bazar, and 730km south-southwest off Mongla, BMD said in its special bulletin.

The cyclone is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction.

The Met office forecasted 225kph maximum sustained wind speed within 90km of the cyclone centre and it may rise to 245kph in gusts or squalls.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven.

Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven.

Maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six.

Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number six.

Under the influence of Amphan and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm, the bulletin reads.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 140-160 kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm, it said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and will remain in shelter till further notice, the Met office said.