Amphan intensifies further, low-lying areas likely to be inundated by high storm surge

The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ over southeast Bay and adjoining southwest Bay moved northwards and intensified over the west central Bay and adjoining south Bay, says Bangladesh Meteorological Department in an special bulletin.

.Cyclone Amphan likely to hit Bangladesh by early Tuesday morning. The Met Office also on Monday afternoon said under the influence of the cyclonic storm and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

. It is likely to intensify further and move in a northerly direction and then recurve north-northeastwards and may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna and Chattogram during late night 19 May 2020 to afternoon/evening 20 May 2020.

. Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no. 7. . The cyclonic storm was centred at 3:00pm on Monday about 1,075 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1,015 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 985 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 970 km south-southwest of Payra port.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and will remain in shelter till further notice.

. Maximum sustained wind speed within 85 kms of the cyclone centre is about 210 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/ squalls.

Sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower local warning signal no. 4 but instead hoist danger signal no. 7.

.Cyclone Amphan: Warning flag raised at Rohingya camps. Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no. 7.

Maritime port of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to lower local warning signal no. 4 but instead hoist danger signal no. 6. Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram And Cox’s Bazar their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no. 6.