Biman halts Cox's Bazar flights due to Cyclone Remal, launch services suspended on all routes
National carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Cox's Bazar for today (Sunday) due to Cyclonic storm Remal.
Besides, flights of BG395 and BG391 to Kolkata will remain suspended on Sunday (26 May) and Monday (27 May), respectively, said Bosra Islam, general manager of the Public Relations Wing of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
This morning, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) instructed the Payra and Mongla maritime ports to hoist Great Danger Signal 10, and Great Danger Signal 9 for the Cox's Bazar and Chattogram seaports.
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Following this, the Shah Amanat International Airport authorities announced that its airfield and runway will remain closed for 8 hours today, from 12pm to 8pm.
Confirming the closure, Group Captain Taslim Ahmed, director of Shah Amanat International Airport, said all preventive measures have been taken to protect the airport's resources and ensure the safety of its personnel.
He said further decisions regarding the airport operations will be taken following the instructions from the meteorological department.
Meanwhile, the Shipping Ministry suspended launch services on all routes from 10pm today as the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay intensified into Cyclone Remal.
All launches of inland waterways from Dhaka River Ports will remain suspended until further notice, said Md Jahangir Alam Khan, senior information officer of the ministry.
According to the BMD, the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay moved northwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm "Remal" over northwest Bay and adjoining area yesterday (25 May) evening.
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman said cyclonic storm 'Remal' is projected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Satkhira in Khulna and Cox's Bazar in Chattogram by Sunday evening.
Almost 4,000 shelter centres have been prepared in the coastal districts, equipped with adequate dry food, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.
