Maritime ports asked to hoist signal 3

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal No 3 as the well-marked low over the Northwest Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, West Bengal intensified into a monsoon depression over the same area, reports UNB.

It was centered at 3 am about 460 km west-southwest of Chattogram port, 450 km west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 280 km southwest of Mongla port and 305 km southwest of Payra port, said a Met office bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a west-northwesterly direction, it said.

Under its influence steep pressure gradient persists over North Bay and adjoining coastal areas and deep convection is taking place over North Bay.

Squally weather is likely to affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Under the influence of monsoon depression the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira, and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 1-2 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.