The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclonic Storm ’Midhili’ and hit the Bangladesh coast on Friday triggering heavy rainfall across the country.
“The deep depression over northwest bay and adjoining area moved north-northeastwards further and intensified into Cyclonic Storm “Midhili” over the same area” said the special bulletin by the Bangladesh Meteorological Organisation (BMD).
The cyclonic storm was centred at 6:00am Friday about 470 kms west-southwest of Chattogram port, 445 kms west-southwest of Coxs’ Bazer port, 330 kms southwest of Mongla port and 330 kms southwest of Payra port.
This is likely to move north- northeastwards and intensify further, according to BMD special bulletin.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the deep depression centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls. The sea will remain very rough near the deep depression centre.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Coxs’ Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no 4.
Meanwhile, the cyclonic storm “Midhili” brought a cold downpour in the middle of November for Dhaka residents.
According to BMD weather bulletin, the capital and neighbouring areas experienced 2 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.
The temperature was recorded at 23.4 degree Celsius around 6:00am in the mornings, reads the BMD bulletin.
More rain and thundershowers are likely over the area in the next 6 hours, starting at 7:00 am on Friday.
The daytime temperature may fall by 1-2 degrees Celsius over the area.
Meanwhile, all fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and the deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.
The coastal areas of Bhola and Khulna is experiencing heavy rainfall with gusty winds due to influence of the cyclonic storm ‘Midhili’ over the Bay of Bengal.
Since Friday morning, there have been moderate to heavy rains accompanied by strong gusty winds, causing waterlogging in many parts of the coastal. Meanwhile, the Meghna River remains very rough due to the impact of the approaching cyclonic storm.
Moniruzzaman, in charge of the Bhola meteorological office, said the district recorded 86 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. Gusts of up to 8 nauticals were also reported.
Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the district disaster management committee was held at the deputy commissioner’s conference room at 9 pm on Thursday.
During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Arifuzzaman highlighted the extensive preparations undertaken by the district administration to tackle the cyclone.
A total of 869 cyclone shelters and 12 Mujib Killa have been readied across the district.
Meanwhile, Chattogram and Sylhet-bound rail communications snapped with Dhaka, after a tree fell on the railway track in Brahmanbaria due to stormy weather on Friday evening.
The incident happened in Kalsima area on the Dhaka-Chattogram rail track, as a result, the Chattogram-bound train Suborno Express is currently stuck in Brahmanbaria.
Acting station master of the Brahmanbaria Rail Station Jashim Uddin said, a tree fell on the rail line in Sadar upazila’s Kalisima area around 6:45 pm. Due to this, the Subarna Express train had to stop at Talshahar Rail Station of Ashuganj at 07:00 pm.
The train will leave the station, once the tree is removed from the rail track, he added.
