Tidal surge may inundate 14 coastal districts of Bangladesh due to the influence of Cyclone ‘Dana’ which is expected to cross north Odisha-West Bengal coast of India between Puri and Sagar Island around midnight on Thursday.
“Under the peripheral effect of the severe Cyclonic storm and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Barguna, Barishal, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Patuakhali, Bhola, Laxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and their offshore island and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge of 2-3 feet height above normal astronomical tide,” said a Met office bulletin.
According to the Met office bulletin, severe Cyclonic storm ‘Dana’ over Westcentral Bay and adjoining Northwest Bay moved North-Northwest Awards, now lies over Northwest Bay and adjoining area.
It was centred at 12 pm about 570 kms Southwest of Chattogram port, 535 kms Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 435 kms South-Southwest of Mongla port and 435 kms South-Southwest of Payra port and likely to move North-Northwestwards further.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall with gusty or squally wind is likely over North Bay, offshore islands, chars and coastal areas of Bangladesh.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 66 km of the Severe Cyclone Centre is about 90 kph rising to 110 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain high near the system centre.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal no three.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) authorities have suspended the movement of vessels on the internal routes in Barishal due to inclement weather caused by Cyclone Dana.
The movement of vessels was suspended around 11 am due to rain and gusty winds, said AbdurRazzak, river port official of Barishal River Port.
People have been experiencing rainfall since Thursday morning that caused waterlogging in various low-lying areas, leaving them in trouble.
The low-lying areas including Sadar Road, Oxford Mission Road, Palashpur, Rasulpur, Mohammadpur, Kaunia, Parara Road, Rupatoli Housing, College Avenue and Battala areas of the city were submerged.
Albert Ballob Ripon, a resident of College Avenue, expressed his frustration saying that even a little rain causes flood.
He also demanded immediate steps to end waterlogging problem in the area.
Pranab Kumar Roy, a senior meteorologist at the Barishal Meteorological Office, said Cyclone Dana is currently staying over the northwestern Bay of Bengal.
However, there is no possibility of the cyclone to make landfall in Bangladesh. It is expected to strike Odisha and West Bengal either late Thursday night or early Friday morning, he added.
Meanwhile, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Payra and Mongla have been asked to hoist local cautionary signal no three.
The local Met office recorded 33.33mm of rainfall in the district from 6 am to 12 pm on Thursday.
