Sitrang might hit Bangladesh coastal areas by tonight

Cyclonic storm "Sitrang" might hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh by tonight, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). 

Tidal waves of up to 5-6 metres are expected to inundate low-lying areas of North and South 24 Parganas in India's West Bengal and coastal areas of Bangladesh at landfall, along with extremely high winds and heavy rainfall, it added.

Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to hoist danger signal number 7 and Chattogram seaport and Cox's Bazar to hoist danger signal number 6.

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman on Monday said the cyclone might hit 13 districts of the country and two districts might be lightly hit. 

"Therefore, 100% of the people in all the dangerous areas of the coast will be evacuated to safe places by evening," he added.

The cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northeasterly direction and cross the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by early Tuesday, BMD said in its latest special weather bulletin released on early Monday.

"The cyclonic storm Sitrang over the east-central bay and adjoining west-central bay moved north-northeastwards over the east-central bay and adjoining west-central bay & north bay and was centred at 06 am today about 590 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 535 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 525 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 495 kms south-southwest of Payra port," it added. 

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, and their offshore islands will come under danger signal no seven.

The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 5-8 feet above normal astronomical tide under the peripheral effect of the cyclone new moon phase and steep pressure gradient.

Riverports of the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhall, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni have been advised to hoist riverine danger signal no three.

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

Meanwhile, a flash flood is likely to occur in a few places of the south-eastern region of the country, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC). 

According to the FFWC report published on Sunday (23 October), the deep depression over the east-central and adjoining areas of the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a cyclonic storm on 25 October and cross the coastal area of Bangladesh between Barisal and Chattogram Division.

Under the influence of the storm, there is a chance of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the coastal region including the south-eastern, eastern and northeastern regions of the country. 

For this reason, there is a possibility of flash floods at a few places of south-eastern region and the Muhuri, Khowai, Manu, Surma and Kushiyara rivers of the eastern and north-eastern regions of the country may rise rapidly.

FFWC also keeps monitoring 109 water level stations and found that the water level of 13 rivers has increased in the past 24 hours till 9 am on Sunday. Besides, it also found that the water level of 95 rivers is in a falling trend.

The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma of the country are in a falling trend, which may continue in next 48 hours, it said.

The cyclone is likely to make landfall between Tinkona Island and Sandwip near Barisal early morning on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.