The cyclonic storm, Sitrang, has lashed the vast coastal areas of Bangladesh with heavy precipitation, blustery winds and high tidal surges.
Although the front part of the weather system hit the coastal districts on Monday evening, it started crossing the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at 9:00pm.
Cyclone Sitrang, packing gusts of 88km per hour, might complete crossing the coast in the next three to four hours, the Met office said in a special bulletin.
Under the influence of the cyclone, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge of five to eight feet height above normal astronomical tide, it said.
The maritime ports of Mongla, Payra and Chattogram were asked to hoist danger signal number seven while Cox’s Bazar port was asked to hoist danger signal number six.
Earlier on Monday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman said some 13 coastal districts would be affected severely due to the cyclonic storm.
The districts included Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali and Feni.
Sadar upazila and Patharghata in Barguna along with Kalapara in Patuakhali would be hit the hardest, the state minister said during a briefing at the secretariat in Dhaka.
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated from vulnerable villages and islands into shelters.
Residents of the coastal districts expressed apprehension about if the dilapidated embankments could withstand the powerful storm for long hours.
Sitrang triggered torrential rain in the coastal districts and elsewhere including Dhaka, uprooted trees along with electric poles and disrupted the power supply in different districts.
Vehicular movement came to a halt as well due to the inclement weather at places.
Broadband internet services were also impacted in many regions by the bad weather caused by the cyclone as power cuts became frequent.
Confirming the issue, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh President Emdadul Hoque said it was not possible to keep the network running in areas without electricity.
Mobile networks were also facing disruption as authorities were struggling to tackle the issues amid the adverse weather conditions.
The Chittagong Port Authority and the Mongla Port Authority suspended the loading and unloading of containers fearing damages due to the cyclone.
Besides, Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) halted the operations of vessels on all waterways across the country till further notice while the Met office asked the river ports of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Faridpur, Dhaka, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Cox’s Bazar to hoist riverine danger signal number three.
The operational activities at Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Barishal airports were closed due to inclement weather caused by Cyclone Sitrang.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced the closure of all educational institutions in Chattogram, Barishal and Khulna divisions.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring developments centring the cyclonic storm round the clock and giving necessary instructions to government officials to take steps to minimise loss of lives and properties.
The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) also opened the PM's Disaster Management Coordination and Relief Monitoring Cell for 24 hours as per the directive of the prime minister.
All are requested to communicate with the cell through its hotline numbers — 01769010986, 02-55029550 and 02-58153022. The fax number is 02-9102469.
