Cyclone 'Sitrang' may hit Bangladesh coastal areas: Enamur Rahman

The low depression created in the Andaman Sea has intensified into a deep depression and may turn into a cyclonic storm on Sunday night, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

If this turns into a cyclonic storm, this will be named 'Sitrang'.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, disaster management and relief state minister Enamur Rahman said it is more or less certain that the deep low depression turn into a cyclonic storm. It may become a 'super cyclone', he added.

According to the latest bulletin of the meteorological department, the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining area and moved slightly northwestwards further and lay centered at 12 noon on Sunday over the same area about 780 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 715 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 730 km south of Mongla port and 695 km south of Payra port. It is likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm and recurve initially northwards.

Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra ports have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number 3.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to stay in the safe region until further notice.

Quoting the meteorological department, state minister for relief Enamur Rahman said the direction of the low depression is northwestward. If the direction is changed, this may turn into a cyclonic storm and hit the coastal areas of Odisha in India. Till now the direction is towards that region.

If the direction is changed again and rushes northeast, this may hit coastal areas of Bangladesh, he added.

The state minister said there will be an impact on an area of 730 kilometers if the deep low depression turns into a cyclone and hit the coastal region via Bangladesh.

This may have an impact on a vast area from Cox's Bazar to Shyamnagar. However, the deep low depression is moving fast. As a result, it is expected this may weaken to an extent.