Fani enters Bangladesh as cyclonic storm
The severe cyclonic storm Fani weakened into a cyclonic storm and moved over Satkhira, Jashore and Khulna regions and adjoining areas on Saturday morning.
It is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction further inland over Bangladesh, said a met office special bulletin issued at 8:32am, reports news agency UNB.
Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the sky remains overcast and rain and thunder showers with gusty and squally wind continues in the country.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kilometres of the storm centre is about 62 kilometres per hour rising to 88 kilometres per hour in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very rough.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no. 7 while the coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no. 7, the bulletin said.
The maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no 6. The coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no. 6.
The maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal no. 4.
Under the influence of Fani and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 2-4 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
All the fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.
Bangladesh has been feeling the peripheral effect of cyclone Fani since Friday morning. A number of villages and shoals in coastal districts have already been inundated.
A total 1,240,795 people have been evacuated to cyclone centres in coastal districts till Friday evening, the authorities said.
As many as 4,071 cyclone centres have been opened in 19 coastal districts while directives have been issued to use schools and colleges as shelter centres.
The Navy has deployed 32 ships in Chattogram, Khulna and Mongla for emergency rescue operations and relief work. Naval contingents are on standby for immediate deployment in coastal areas.
The government has also set up control rooms. The National Disaster Response Coordination Centre is providing updates.
