Cyclone Mocha is not turning into a super cyclone, and will remain a very severe cyclone, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman.
He made the disclosure while speaking to journalists after a meeting at the secretariat on Saturday.
The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been asked to keep hoisted the Great Danger Signal 10 as the storm over the east-central Bay and the adjoining area moved north-northeastwards over the same area, being intensified further.
The coastal district of Cox's Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will also come under the great danger signal.
The Great Danger Signal 10 means the port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity (wind speed of 89km per hour or more) that is expected to cross over or near the port.
According to the latest Met Office bulletin, the maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted Great Danger Signal 8, while the maritime port of Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal 4.
Speaking to The Business Post, meteorologist Md Omar Faruq said the very severe cyclone, Mocha, with an approximate diameter of 500km is approaching the coastal areas at a speed of 20km per hour.
It is likely to cause storm surges from 8-12 feet above normal astronomical tide, he added.
At 6pm on Saturday, it was centred about 605km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 525km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 625km south of Mongla port, and 565km south of Payra port, said the bulletin.
It is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northeasterly direction and cross Cox’s Bazar-north Myanmar coast between 9am and 6pm on Sunday.
Coastal regions of Chattogram and Barishal divisions will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm around midnight, it said.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 180km per hour, rising to 200km per hour in gusts. The sea will remain very high near the storm centre.
Under the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 8-12 feet above normal astronomical tide.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, and Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 5-7 feet above normal astronomical tide.
Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. Due to very heavy rainfall landslides may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Chattogram.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Chattogram port suspends operations
Chattogram port, which controls about 92 per cent of the country's import-export trade, has stopped the release of goods, side by side suspending its operational activities.
Besides, vessels berthed at the jetty have been asked to move to outer anchorage as soon as possible. Lighter vessels have also been asked to take shelter towards the Shah Amanat Bridge area of the Karnaphuli River.
At the same time, ships have started moving from the jetty.
CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk confirmed the information.
All operational activities of the port will remain suspended until the weather situation becomes normal, he said.
"Bulk ships have been driven out to the outer anchorage. The ships will remain at outer anchorage with the running engine," he added.
