Bangladesh News

Hurricane SIDR hit the coastal areas of Sundarbands this evening and expected to make landfall in Khulna-Barisal belt crossing the Baleshwar river between 9:00pm to 10:00pm tonight, a Met Office bulletin said.

The powerful hurricane with 160 to 180 kph wind speed hit Hiron Point, Khepupara and Dublarchar coastlines in Sundarbans at about 5:00pm, the Met bulletin added.

It is now centred 150 km off the Mongla Port.

Meanwhile, coastal areas of Mongla, Barisal and Khulna are experiencing storms accompanied with heavy downpours as a prelude to the impending natural calamity. Over1000 fishermen went missing after 300 fishing trawlers sank in the Bay during the storms.

A latest Met Office special bulletin said great danger signal number 10 was advised to hoist for Mongla seaport while great danger signal number 9 for Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar seaports.

The hurricane intensity was centred at about 385 kms south-southwest of Chittagong port, 345 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port and 265 kms south of Mongla port this afternoon.

Emergency cabinet meeting is going on to find a way out to minimise the possible damage that is expected to cause as the hurricane began lashing the country’s coastlines.

Thousands of people were evacuated from the vulnerable coastal areas including Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, visualising the incoming ravaging picture of the powerful cyclone.

Under the influence of the hurricane, the whole country including the capital is experiencing drizzling with gusty winds.

Leave of the government officials and employees in coastal districts has been cancelled. The government ordered them to remain at their respective stations and joined hands with the emergency operations to evacuate people from coastal localities to safer places.

Waterway communications across the country is also suspended following the calamity.

Met office warned that the coastal areas may face tidal surge 20-25 feet high above normal astronomical tide.

Coastguard and patrol police were directed to ensure security of the people taking shelter at different shelter centres.

The air force has been asked to aid rescue operations and airdrop relief supplies by their helicopters.

The coastal districts of Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira, Jessore and their offshore islands and chars will remain under the great danger signal No 10.

Besides, the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will remain under the great signal No 9.

Inland river ports of the districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Chandpur, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Jessore and Satkhira have been advised to keep hoisted riverine great danger signal No 4.

All fishing-boats and trawlers over the north Bay must remain in shelter till further notice, the bulletin added.