State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman on Sunday said there is a little chance that the cyclonic storm ‘Asani’ will make landfall on the Bangladesh coast.
“If the weather system follows its current course, it is likely to hit India’s Visakhapatnam, Odisha and West Bengal before making landfall on the Satkhira region,” he told the media at his secretariat office in Dhaka.
“However, meteorologists have forecast that the cyclonic storm is yet to pose a threat to Bangladesh. But due to the impact of Asani, rain may occur in the country.”
The state minister said a cyclone can change its course any time. “Now it is moving north-westwards. If Asani changes the track towards the north only, it may hit Satkhira, Khulna, Barishal and Patuakhali.”
According to the meteorologists, he said, the cyclonic storm may cross Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and West Bengal on May 12 morning before weakening into a depression.
“Meanwhile, we have held meetings with all concerned to tackle the natural calamity and preparation is being taken accordingly,” Enamur added.
In its special bulletin on Sunday, Bangladesh Meteorological Department said the weather system over the Bay was located 1,205km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1,125km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 1,185km south of Mongla port and 1,145km south of Payra port at 12 noon.
The Met office also asked the four maritime ports to keep hoisted distant warning signal number 2.
