29 deaths reported as Cyclone Sitrang weakens
Highlights-
- Thirteen were killed by falling trees in Narail, Bhola, Noakhali and Cumilla
- PM for taking all out preparation to face cyclone Sitrang
- PM's event on inaugurating industrial units, facilities in EZs postponed due to Cyclone Sitrang
- Ctg and Mongla ports halt unloading at outer anchorage
- Flights stopped at Ctg, Cox's Bazar and Barishal airports due to cyclone Sitrang
- Inland water transport suspended indefinitely as Cyclone Sitrang approaches
- Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat
- Heavy rains continue to batter Bangladesh amid flood warning across coastal region
At least 29 people died in 11 districts across Bangladesh as Cyclone Sitrang made landfall and crossed Barishal-Chattogram coast on Monday, leaving a trail of destruction, reports UNB
Cyclone Sitrang hit the country on Sunday evening and wreaked havoc throughout the country on Monday.
On Tuesday, the cyclone turned into a tropical depression and is on the path to move away from the country.
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The maritime ports of the country have been asked to reduce the danger signal and show warning signal no 3.
The front of the cyclone, which originated in the Bay of Bengal, hit the Barisal-Chittagong coast near Bhola on Monday (24 October) evening.
The centre of the cyclone crossed the coast around midnight.
According to the observations of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the wind speed was highest 74 kmh in Cox's Bazar and Chattogram at 9:30pm on Monday.
2:00pm: In Gopinathpur union under Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria a young man named Zainal Abedin Bhuiyan, 26, died after a tree fell on his house amid Cyclone Sitrang around 12am on Tuesday.
Kasba Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Masud Ul Alam said that it rained all day yesterday due to the effect of Cyclone Sitrang. Stormy winds accompanied the rain at night and a tree fell on Zainal's house.
Zainal died on the spot. Zainal's wife Nipa Akhter was injured in the incident and was admitted to the hospital.
1:00pm: In Kanksar village of Munshiganj's Lauhjong upazila, a mother and daughter died after a tree fell above their house around 10:30pm on Monday.
Also, the father and son were seriously injured.
The bodies of the deceased mother Asma Begum Ashu, 28, and daughter Suraiya, 3, were recovered by the locals from underneath the ruins of their house on Tuesday morning.
Father Abdur Razzak, 35, has been admitted to Trauma Center and AO Orthopaedic Hospital in Dhaka, while the injured son Arafat, 10, was treated at a local hospital.
1:30am: The cyclone is currently passing over Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Chattogram and Dhaka divisions, said meteorologist Mustafa Kamal Palash analysing Japan's geo-satellite images.
He said the strongest part of the cyclone is crossing Habiganj and Moulvibazar districts of Sylhet division.
Between 1-3am, the strongest part of the cyclone (black circle) will cross Sylhet division and the second strongest part (green circle) will cross Mymensingh division, he added.
By 6am, the cyclone will cross the Bangladesh border and move towards the Indian states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Tripura, said the meteorologist.
1:20am: Three people died after trees fell on them during the storm in Doulatkhan and Char Fasson upazilas of Bhola on Monday.
The deceased were identified as Monir, 30, of Hazariganj area of Char Fasson upazila, Mojubul Haque, 56, of Bhola Sadar and Bibi Khadiza, wife of Khadem Ali of Bhola's municipality area no. 5, reports UNB.
Khadiza died on the spot around 7pm during the storm caused by the approaching Cyclone Sitrang, said Zakir Hossain, officer-in-charge of Doulatkhan Police Station.
Monir was riding on his motorcycle and died around 8:30pm after a tree fell on him amid the stormy weather caused by Cyclone Sitrang, added the OC.
12:10am Tuesday: Three members of a family died when a tree fell on their tin shed house amid the strong winds caused by cyclone Sitrang.
The incident took place around 11pm Monday (24 October) in Heshakhal village of Nangalkot upazila of the district, Hesakhal Union Parishad Chairman Iqbal told The Business Standard.
The deceased are Nizam Uddin, his wife Sathi Akter and his daughter Liza Akter.
11.50pm: Arifuzzaman Bhuiyan, executive engineer at the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, said it started raining heavily accompanied by strong wind as soon as the cyclone hit the coastal areas in the evening.
He said tidal surges up to 9 feet high hit the coastal areas around 9:30pm, which is expected to rise further until the centre of the cyclone crosses Barishal and Chattogram coasts at midnight.
11:40pm: One after another trees are falling on Dhaka-Chittagong highway due to cyclone Sitrang. Eight trees were reported to have fallen on the Cumilla section of the highway between 10pm and 11pm Monday.
Mohammad Rahmat Ullah, superintendent of highway police in Cumilla, confirmed the matter around 11pm.
Traffic movement is being disrupted due to trees falling on roads, he said adding that it also increases risk of accidents.
11pm: At present, the strongest wind portion of the cyclone is passing over the districts of Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Chittagong divisions, Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal Polash said analysing images obtained from Japan's artificial geosatellite.
As a result, gusty wind is likely to occur in all the districts of these three divisions after 10 pm Monday. The districts of Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions will experience heavy rains along with wind speed of 50km to 70km per hour from 10pm Monday to 6am Tuesday, he said.
10:30pm: REB has stopped electricity supply to 55 lakh customers of 30 societies from 10:30pm to reduce the damage of cyclone Sitrang. Including the 1.25 lakh disconnected subscribers of WZPDCL, total 56.25 lakh connections have been suspended for the cyclone.
10pm: Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) has requested the power division to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the public interest considering telecom services as essential services.
"Due to powerful cyclone Sitrang, we are experiencing power outages in several areas of the southern part of the country. We are doing our utmost to keep the network up and running by using batteries and generators wherever possible," said a statement issued by AMTOB Monday (24 October).
On behalf of AMTOB, Shahed Alam, chief corporate and regulatory officer of Robi Axiata said operators have completed all necessary preparation to fully restore network as soon as the electricity supply resumes.
9:40pm: Amirul Azad, senior meteorologist of Khulna met office, said the centre of the cyclone is located around Bhola, but far off the coast.
It may hit the coast between Barashial and Chattogram in the next 2-3 hours, he added.
9:30pm: The power transmission and distribution bodies under the power division have opened control rooms in their respective offices to deal with issued centering cyclone Sitrang.
People have been asked to call the numbers of the control rooms for any emergency need.
The phone numbers of the control rooms are:
1. Rural Electrification Board (REB): 017-926-23467, 8900575
2. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB): Central complaint centre - 01708149502-3, control room - 01819228616, 02-223354646
3. Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO): 02-8900501, 01713090586, 01324435981.
4. Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC): 02223364800; 02223363000, 01321137195
5. Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO): Rajshahi zone - +8801755582300, Rangpur zone- +8801715041240
6. West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited: Central control room - 02477724472, 01755568781; call centre - 16117
9:10pm: In order to reduce the damage caused by Cyclone Sitrang, over 45 lakh people have been kept without electricity in several vulnerable areas including the coastal areas of the southern region.
West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDCL) and Rural Electrification Board (REB) disconnected the power Monday (24 October) in the wake of cyclonic storm Sitrang.
"Distribution lines are being damaged in various places due to the storm. The power supply has been cut off in five of the vulnerable districts. There are about 1.25 lakh customers in these areas," Md Azharul Islam, managing director of WZPDCL told The Business Standard.
9pm: Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun has directed all units of the police to remain alert in order to deal with adversities centering cyclone Sitrang.
The IGP gave the directive during a virtual meeting with deputy inspector generals of all zones, metropolitan police commissioners, specialised naval police, highway police and police supers of coastal districts on Monday (24 October).
He instructed police officials to evacuate people from disaster prone areas to the nearest shelters coordinating with the local administration and other agencies.
8:30pm: Senior Meteorologist of Khulna Meteorological Office Amirul Azad said that the cyclone moved slightly from the coast of Khulna and advanced towards Bhola.
Amirul said the wind speed in Khulna has decreased significantly and is blowing at 5 km per hour.
Also the rain has stopped completely, he added.
8pm: Under the influence of cyclone Sitrang, the road communication of Narail with the other parts of the country has been snapped after a century-old tree fell on Kalna-Narail highway Monday afternoon.
Locals and witnesses said the century-old banyan tree suddenly fell on the road due to strong wind. However, no damage has been reported in the incident as the road was empty at that time.
7:25pm: Women and children of Jhulanta Para of Dakop upazila in Khulna have taken shelter in Kalabagi forest station of Sundarbans as the wind speed increased on Monday evening.
Jahirul Islam Jewel, station officer of Kalabagi forest, said that 50 women and children boarded trawlers reaching station in the evening and they have been provided food items there.
"The wind speed has increased in the Sundarbans area but the tide was not too high. So, there is no fear of wild animals getting swept away. However, the stems of the plants may be damaged," he added.
Jhulanta Para of Kalabagi is located at the outskirt of Surkhali and Shibsa river. The Sundarbans are on the other side of the river. Due to repeated cyclones, floods and river erosion, the area is now on the verge of extinction. Most of the people there are dependent on the Sundarbans.
In Khulna, Nusrat Laki, 20, died after falling off the roof of a six-storey building while taking a bath in the rain.
Nusrat breathed her last at a hospital around 12pm Monday.
7pm: Chittagong Port Authority has launched a control room to deal with the impact of Cyclone Sitrang.
CPA disclosed the information in a press release on Monday in the wake of the cyclonic storm that is likely to hit coastal areas before midnight.
"The control room has been launched to reduce the damage caused by Cyclone Sitrang, ensure safety and implement quick decisions," CPA Secretary Md Omar Farooq told The Business Standard.
6.45pm: Khulna Relief and Rehabilitation Officer Ranjit Kumar Sarkar said that 40,130 people have taken shelter in 548 centres in the southern district so far.
He said no casualties have been reported yet. However, branches of trees were broken at various places.
Some 5,280 volunteers are on alert to help the common people during the calamity, he added.
6:30pm: The ferry services on the Paturia-Daulatdia route have been suspended from 4pm today due to inclement weather under the influence of cyclone Sitrang.
"Due to gusty winds in the river area, ferry services have been temporarily suspended to avoid accidents. Ferries will resume as soon as the weather permits," BIWTC Daulatdia ghat Assistant Manager Md Khorshed Alam told media.
Earlier in the day, the BIWTC suspended launch services on the route from 11am.
6pm: Khulna Met Office senior meteorologist Md Amirul Azad has said the wind speed has increased in Khulna to 30 kmh due to the effect of cyclone Sitrang.
Earlier, the wind speed in Khulna was 20 kmh around 12pm and 15 kmh around 6pm.
"Rain continues in Khulna with gusty winds. 177 mm of rainfall was recorded in Khulna from 6am to 6pm," he told The Business Standard.
5:10pm: People in Bagerhat coastal belt have started rushing to shelter centres as cyclone Sitrang is about to hit the coastal areas.
At least 29,000 people of Mongla, Sharankhola and Morelganj upazilas reached the cyclone shelters as of Monday afternoon.
Upazila administration and Red Crescent volunteers are helping people to go to shelters in disaster prone areas.
5pm: Marzina Begum, 32, was hit in the head by a tree branch near Palli Savings Bank in Narail's Lohagara upazila parishad at around 12 pm on Monday (24 October).
"The deceased left home to go to work. A mahogany branch broke due to the winds and fell on her head near Palli Savings Bank area leaving her severely injured. Locals took her to Lohagara Upazila Health Complex where the on-duty doctor declared her dead," Lohagara Police Station Officer-in-charge (OC) Md Nasir Uddin told TBS.
The cyclonic storm might hit the coastal areas of the country by Monday evening and cross the coast by early morning Tuesday.
The 13 districts that are at risk of being impacted are Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali and Feni.
In Barishal, several trees were uprooted due to the strong winds of the cyclone while power supply remained suspended since morning in most areas of the division.
Similarly, power supply in Patuakhali district has been suspended since noon as many electric poles were uprooted and wires were snapped. Electricity connections to different areas in Pirojpur and Madaripur districts also were disrupted due to the storm.
A low pressure formed in Andaman Sea on 18 October which moved northwestward towards central Bay of Bengal, becoming a depression on 21 October and a deep depression on 23 October early in the day and a full cyclonic storm by 7pm Monday.
At 10.30 am Monday, the centre of the cyclone Sitrang was located about 21 degrees north latitude and 89 degrees east longitude. The distance was less than 200 km from Khulna coast at 12pm.
Cyclonic storm "Sitrang" might hit the coastal areas of the country by tonight, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
BMD has increased the warning signal in the country's seaports due to cyclonic storm Sitrang. 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.
"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," State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman. said during a press briefing on Monday (24 October.)
The cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northeasterly direction and cross the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by early morning tomorrow, 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 nortand h bay and was centred at 6am 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 said.
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.
"Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower local warning signal number 4 and hoist danger signal number 7, 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 number 7, maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar have been advised to lower local warning signal number 4 and instead hoist danger signal number 6," the BMD bulletin said.
"The coastal districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars will be under danger signal number 6," it added.
River ports 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 number 3.
"Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone north bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty squally wind speed of 50-60kph in addition to the heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy rainfall (289 mm)," the BMD said.
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.
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 in the south-eastern region of the country, according to the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), reports UNB.
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 Barishal 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 on a falling trend.
The Brahmaputra-Jamuna and the Ganges-Padma of the country are in a falling trend, which may continue in the next 48 hours, it said.
The cyclone is likely to make landfall between Tinkona Island and Sandwip near Barishal early morning on Tuesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
"Sitrang will be a severe cyclonic storm briefly during landfall for a few hours. It will then gradually dissipate," said Ananda Kumar Das, in-charge of IMD's cyclone monitoring division, reports Hindustan Times.
"Wind speeds of over 50 to 60 kmph and very heavy rain is likely over the West Bengal coast during landfall, but more impact is likely over the Sundarban region, which is closer to the landfall point."
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.
Barishal division bearing the brunt of Cyclone Sitrang
Heavy rains coupled with intense tidal surges have crippled daily life in Barishal division. Water in all the rivers and canals in the region, including Bhola's River Meghna, has risen to alarming levels.
The low-lying coastal areas of the division – including those in Bhola and Char Fesson – have already been inundated as locals seek refuge indoors as well as in the cyclone shelters.
Meanwhile, the local administration has assured that all necessary measures have been taken to tackle the storm and have urged residents to take shelter in their nearest government-designated cyclone centres. People residing in risky areas will be brought to safe shelters by Monday evening.
Several trees were uprooted due to the strong winds of the cyclone while power supply remained suspended since morning in most areas of the division.
To make matters worse, telecommunication services in the division's remote areas have been reported to be disrupted.
Due to the inclement weather caused by the cyclone, naval communication has been suspended since Monday morning.
Many passengers of internal water service have been waiting at the Barishal launch ghat.
Meanwhile, the water service will be suspended until further notice, according to the BIWTA, Barishal.
Cox's Bazar is ready to face Sitrang
Cox's Bazar is ready to face the cyclonic storm Sitrang, said Cox's Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Zahid Iqbal.
He said that the district administration has made all kinds of preparations to deal with the cyclone. In the preparatory meeting held on Sunday evening, the leave of the government officials was also cancelled. 576 shelters have been opened. Apart from dry food, rice, cash, 990 tents and 200 bundles of tins have been kept in stock.
At the same time, 1198 sacks of dry food, 323 metric tons of rice, Tk8 lakh 25 thousand in cash and other items have been stored.
576 shelters have been opened. 10600 volunteers including 8600 CPP members are ready, and 88 medical teams have been formed.
Abdul Hamid, a meteorologist of Cox's Bazar Meteorological Department, said that currently the port of Cox's Bazar has been given warning signal no 6.
"Gusty winds are possible from midnight tonight. At this time the maximum wind speed can be 90-100 km per hour. There is a possibility of flooding in coastal areas. The height of water may increase by 10-12 feet than normal," he said.
Meanwhile, due to the impact of the cyclone, the sea on the coast of Cox's Bazar is rougher than normal. Although the sky has been cloudy in Cox's Bazar since morning, the sun has been seen occasionally.
Stormy wind and rain hit Satkhira, dam starts to break
Light and moderate rainfall along with stormy wind has started Satkhira since Sunday (23 October) night
The water level in the coastal rivers is slowly rising. The water level of Kholpetua and Kapotaksha rivers has already increased.
Meanwhile, the embankment by the Kapotaksha river has started to break at five points in Satkhira's Pratapnagar union. Water is entering the locality from there.
Locals said it is still possible to stop the water ingress if repairs are made.
On the other hand, the district administration held an emergency meeting of the district disaster management committee on Sunday evening. The chairman of the committee, Satkhira District Commissioner Mohammad Humayun Kabir has instructed to declare 166 cyclone shelters and educational institutions as shelters in the district. Besides, volunteers have also been asked to be ready. The Water Development Board was also instructed to prepare geo bags and synthetic sacks for dam repair.
Meteorologist Zulfikar Ali of Satkhira Meteorological Department said that seven warning signals have been issued in the coastal areas.
"The cyclone will hit the Bangladesh coast at midnight today. Its main impact will be in Barishal. But the impact will be felt in Satkhira coastal areas too. Due to this, the wind speed will be up to 100 km per hour," he added.
Heavy rain, gusty wind disrupt daily life in Noakhali
Normal life was thrown out of gear as Cyclone Sitrang induced heavy rain and gusty winds lashed large parts Noakhali – mainly Hatia, Subarnachar, and Companyganj – since early Monday.
Inland water transportation to and from Noakhali's Hatia has been suspended due to inclement weather while the district's coastal areas face higher-than-usual tidal surges.
Rafiqul Islam, in charge of the district Met Office, said, "Different parts of Noakhali have been experiencing heavy rains since Sunday morning. The intensity of the rain increased from yesterday night.
"By Monday evening, it [Cyclone Sitrang] may gather more energy and hit the coastal areas here on Tuesday morning."
Noakhali Deputy Commissioner Dewan Mahbubur Rahman said, "A meeting of the district's disaster management committee was held at 10am today. Total 401 cyclone shelters have been kept prepared.
"Some 10,000 volunteers are ready to respond to disaster management. We have also ensured dry food stock."
PM's event inaugurating industrial units, facilities in EZs postponed due to Cyclone Sitrang
The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has postponed Wednesday's event where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was scheduled to inaugurate 50 industrial units, projects and facilities in Economic Zones (EZs) marking 50 years of the country's independence due to Cyclone Sitrang.
Confirming the matter to The Business Standard, Beza Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said, "We have been forced to postpone the programme, which was supposed to be held on the day after tomorrow (26 October), due to Cyclone Sitrang.
Sheikh Hasina was all set to lay the foundation stones of 29 industrial units in different EZs, which have so far received investments of $610 million, and are in a process of receiving $1,922.39 million more.
The EZ facilities, yet to be inaugurated, include administration buildings of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN), Jamalpur Economic Zone, Srihatta EZ, and Sabrang Tourism Park.
Besides, the prime minister was supposed to formally open the 20km Sheikh Hasina Sarani, 230-KVA gridline and substation at the BSMSN and lay the foundation stone of a water treatment plant that has 50 million litres per day (MLD) capacity.
LGRD Minister orders to stockpile dry foods, water in all cyclone shelters
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative Minister Md Tajul Islam has ordered to keep dry food, and safe drinking water in every shelter during the cyclone and post-disaster period alongside ensuring proper sanitation system.
In a special meeting presided over by the minister at Secretariat, instructions were given to the departments, agencies and local government institutions under the local government division Monday (24 October).
The Directorate of Public Health Engineering was asked to stock sufficient quantities of water purification tablets, jerrycans, temporary tube wells, temporary latrines, bleaching powder, hygiene kits, mobile water treatment plants, etc.
All district and upazila level officials and employees under the local government department have directed to be present at work round the clock.
The Directorate of Public Health Engineering and Directorate of Local Government Engineering have also been asked to keep control Rooms open in all cyclone-affected districts to maintain, monitor and coordinate post-cyclone road and culvert renovation and repair.
Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat
Local authorities in Bagerhat district on Monday said that vulnerable people would be evacuated to cyclone shelters to save lives.
The government has kept a total of 344 cyclone shelters ready in nine upazilas of the coastal district, which can accommodate around two lakh people along with their cattle.
Mohammad Azizur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bagerhat, said that they were working to ensure that the impact of the cyclone could have minimum damage, reports UNB.
"We've taken all out preparations to face Sitrang by keeping dry food, medical teams and rescue teams ready," he said.
In the district's Sharonkhola, Mongla, Rampal and Morelganj upazilas, the local administration has been asking people to go to the nearest cyclone shelters through loudspeakers.
Heavy rains have been reported in the district.
Mongla Met Office recorded 29mm rain from 6am to 9am on Monday morning. Rising water has started to inundate the low-lying areas, while high tide was impacting the Sundarbans.
The Mongla Seaport is also bearing the brunt. All kinds of loading and unloading of goods at the port have been suspended, while vessels have been asked to stay close to the shore.
A 30km-long embankment that protects Bagerhat from high tide is currently at risk too.
According to Bagerhat Water Development Board (WDB), at least 100km of areas could go underwater if Sitrang damages the embankment.
"The wind is blowing at a speed of 62kph within 54km of the cyclone centre, which has the possibility of reaching 88kph. We've asked the Mongla Port authorities to hoist cautionary signal no 7," said Amaresh Chandra Dhali, officer (acting) of Mongla Met Office.
