Fani may hit Bangladesh by midnight
Severe cyclonic storm Fani is likely to hit Khulna and southwestern part of Bangladesh by midnight, the Met office said Friday, reports UNB.
It was about 445 km southwest of Mongla port and 495 km southwest of Payra port at 3:00pm. The danger level remains 7 for the ports and the coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, and Satkhira.
The government has already evacuated about 30,000 people.
Fani has moved north-northeastwards and weakened slightly and currently lies over coastal Odisha and adjoining northwest bay. The cyclone is likely to move in a north-northeasterly direction further over Odisha and West Bengal coastal area.
Khulna and adjoining southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh have been experiencing 'Fani's peripheral effect since morning.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 74kms of the storm centre is about 140kph, rising to 160 kph in gusts or squalls.
Chattogram port has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No. 6. The same warning level has been announced for Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, and Chandpur. The danger level at Cox's Bazar port remains at four.
The Met office has also forecast a 5 feet high storm surge that can inundate the low-lying areas. A number of villages in coastal districts have already been submerged and people are left without power.
State minister for disaster management Enamur Rahman on Thursday said that the concerned authorities have been directed to operate control rooms round the clock, evacuate people and take them to shelters immediately after issuance of danger signal 8.
Meanwhile, 4,071 cyclone centres have been kept ready in 19 coastal districts.
Besides, the National Disaster Response Coordination Centre is providing updates. Control rooms have already been opened in Cyclone Preparedness Programme headquarters and 19 coastal districts.
Two thousand packets of dry food, 200 tonnes of rice and cash amounting to Tk 500,000 have been sent to the districts, Enamur said.