Amphan intensifies into super cyclone, danger signal 7 at Mongla, 6 at Ctg ports

The extremely severe cyclonic storm Amphan over the west and central parts of Bay of Bengal has intensified into a super cyclone with wind speed above 200 kmph (kilometres per hour) on Monday afternoon, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). 

Heavy rainfall is likely to hit India's Odisha coast by Monday evening and then it will hit West Bengal's coast the following day.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked maritime ports of Mongla and Payra to hoist danger signal number 7, and Chittagong and Cox's Bazar to hoist danger signal number 6, due to the intensified cyclonic storm Amphan.

Md Asadur Rahman, deputy director of Meteorological and Geo- Physical office in Chittagong, said, "The cyclone will hit Bangladesh between Chattogram and Khulna. So it may hit adjacent districts including Cox's Bazar, Chattogram,  Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur,  Barishal, Patuakhali,  Borguna and Bhola."

The very severe cyclonic storm 'Amphan' was centred at 3pm today about 1075 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1015 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 985 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 970 km south-southwest of Payra port, according to a special bulletin of Met office.

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

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. 

Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number 7.