Front part of cyclone Hamoon touches Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar coast

Severe cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ is likely to make landfall in the coastal areas of Bangladesh between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm on Tuesday. The storm has been approaching towards the Bangladesh coasts at a speed of 25 kmph.

The front part of the cyclone, however, has already touched the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar coast areas. During the landfall, the wind speed could be between 70 and 90 kmph, think the meteorologists.

The severe cyclonic storm has already weakened and turned into a cyclonic storm, said the special bulletin no. 12 of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). This was situating at 180 to 240 kms away of the coasts of Bangladesh.

The cyclone is likely to cross Bangladesh by tonight. As a result, there could be heavy rainfall across the country tonight.

The coastal areas are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 3-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, said the weather bulletin.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, meteorologist Bazlur Rashid said the cyclone is approaching towards Bangladesh fast. Its front part has already touched the coastal area between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar. The cyclone could hit the coasts ant any time between 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm.

Chattogram port has been asked to hoist danger signal no. 7 while Cox’s Bazar port asked to show signal no. 7 lowering from signal no. 6 and Mongla and Payra ports have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no. 5.

Chatogram, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Lakshmipur, Noakhali and other coastal chars and islands have been asked to hoist cautionary signal no. 7.

All the fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.

Meanwhile, the meteorologists said the diameter of cyclone Hamoon is about 300 kms.