‘Yaas’ turns into severe cyclonic storm
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Parya have been advised to continue hoisting distant warning signal-2
The cyclone "Yaas" has further intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the east-central bay and the adjoining areas which currently lies over the same area, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in a special bulletin at 9 am on Tuesday.
The centre of the cyclone was 575 kms south-southwest of Chittagong port, 52 kms south-southwest of Cox,s Bazar, 515 kms south-southwest from Mongla port, and 480 kms south-southwest of Payra port at 6 am today.
Due to favourable atmospheric conditions, the cyclonic storm is likely to intensify further, while moving towards the north-northwesterly direction to reach northwest bay by 26 May early morning.
The bulletin also said that the maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the severe cyclone centre is about 89 kilometers per hour and has been rising to 117 kilometers per hour in gusts and squally.
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Parya have been advised to continue hoisting distant warning signal-2.
All fishing boats and trawlers of North Bay and the deep sea were advised to take shelter and remain there until further notice.
"The possibility of the cyclonic center to enter Bangladesh coast is very limited unless it does not dramatically change its course, however, the impact of the storm is likely in the coastal areas," said Satkhira Meteorological Department Officer-in-Charge Zulfiqar Ali.
"The cyclonic storm may ensue heavy rain and tidal waves which is most likely to begin later on Tuesday night," he said adding that it will be known later when the cyclone will cross the coast.
Meanwhile, wind speed has increased in Satkhira causing the tide to ride high and crashing onto the dam.
Shahin Billah, a resident of Satkhira's Padmapukur union said, "Waves of Kopotakkho River are crashing forcefully on its embankment which may collapse anytime. If it follows tidal-bore the damage will be immeasurable."
"As soon as the met office raises the warning to number six from the existing warning two, we will move the coastal residents to shelters," said Shyamnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer ANM Abuzar Ghiffari.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the cyclone had a wind speed of 90-100 kmph on 25 May which can reach the maximum speed of 185 kmph during the hurricane.
It said the cyclone will pass through the areas between Paradeeo and Baleshwar in India on 26 May with all its might.
Scientists say cyclones in India are becoming more frequent and changing climate patterns have caused them to become more intense.
Last May, nearly 100 people died in Cyclone Amphan, the most powerful storm to hit eastern India in more than a decade. It flattened villages, destroyed farms and left millions without power in eastern India and Bangladesh.
Disaster relief teams have already been deployed in West Bengal and Odisha, which will face the brunt, and the coastal areas are being evacuated.
In West Bengal, Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that the state government is targeting to shift at least 10 lakh people to safer places. She added that Yaas' impact is going to be much more than Cyclone Amphan's.
Meanwhile, as a byproduct of the cyclonic storms, Dhaka and other major cities, including Chattogram, Barishal, Khulna, experienced light to moderate rainfall yesterday.
The met office forecasted rain or thundershowers accompanied by the temporary gusty wind to occur at a few places in Dhaka and its adjacent areas. The sky will remain partly cloudy while the temperature may fall slightly over the country.
