Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ may cross West Bengal-Khulna coast by this mid-night

Very severe cyclonic storm “Bulbul” is likely to cross West Bengal-Khulna coast near the Sundarbans by this mid- night tonight.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 120kph, rising to 140kph in gusts or squalls and will remain very high near the very severe cyclonic centre. Sea will remain very high near the very severe cyclone centre, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its latest bulletin issued at 5.15pm today.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal no. 10. Coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number 10.

Maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal no. 9. Coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal number no. 9.

The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal number four.

The cyclonic storm “Bulbul” was centred at 3pm today about 445 km west- southwest of Chattogram Port, 445 km west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 240 km southwest of Mongla Port and 275 km southwest of Payra Port.

The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 100-120 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm “Bulbul” and the moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.