Cyclone ‘Komen’ weakened as it made a landfall hitting the Chittagong coast near Swandip around 9pm on Thursday.
After the landfall, ‘Komen’ is likely to move west-northeastwards and weaken gradually by giving precipitation, according to the latest special bulletin of the Meteorological Department.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 km of the cyclone centre is about 60 kph rising to 70 kph in gusts. The sea remains very rough near the cyclone centre, the bulletin added.
The maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 7.
The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 7 while the maritime ports of Mongla and Paira have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 5.
The coastal districts of Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 5.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts mentioned above are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 3-5 feed height above normal tidal level.
All fishing boats, trawlers and marine vessels over North bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended until further notice the operation vessels on water routes throughout the country.
The authorities suspended ferry services under Roads and Highway Division throughout the country because of the bad weather. The services will remain suspended until further notice, said a media release of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry.
Roads and highways employees’ holidays cancelled ahead of cyclone
The holidays of the employees of Roads and Highways department in coastal districts have been cancelled by the authorities till Saturday, 1st of August.
The decision was taken by the ministry as the cyclone ‘Komen’ is likely to cross Bangladesh coast by Thursday evening.
Ferry and water transport movement have been shut down till further notice. A press release was given by the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry in this regard.
Ferries can only be used to move people from the disaster prone areas to safer areas.
The maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazaar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No. 7.
Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, and their offshore islands and chars will come under the warning signal zones.
At 3pm on Thursday, the cyclonic storm was centred about 55 kms southwest of Chittagong port, 85 kms northwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 205 kms east-southeast of Mongla port and 120 kms southeast of Payra port.
