Cyclone Hamoon: All kinds of vessel movement suspended

As the severe cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ is likely to make landfall in the coastal areas of Bangladesh Tuesday midnight, the Bangladesh Inland and Water Service Authority (BIWTA) has suspended movement of all kinds of vessels in the country.

Earlier in the day, the disaster management and relief ministry asked the authorities to evacuate 1.5 million people from 10 coastal districts.

Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Barguna, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali and Lakshmipur are being considered as vulnerable districts to the cyclone, said state minister for disaster management and relief Md Enamur Rahman at a press briefing on Tuesday morning.

“Around 1.5 million people from those districts will be evacuated to shelter centres,” he said, adding that local administrations and volunteers have already started the evacuation activities.

It was also said in the media briefing that the cyclone has been approaching the coastal areas of Barishal and Chattogram from the north-eastern side.

The wind speed has been recorded at 89 kmph which was increasing up to 117 kmph.

The meteorological department has asked to hoist danger signal No 7, the state minister informed the media.