The severe cyclone 'Yaas' over the northwest bay and adjoining area has moved north-northwestwards after intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm and lies over northwest bay off north Odisha-West Bengal coast, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
A special weather bulletin of the Met Office (BMD) reads that the storm nears the coastal areas of Bangladesh as it was centred about 515km west of Chattogram port, 510km west of Cox’s Bazar port, 305km west-southwest of Mongla port and 350km west-southwest of Payra port at 6.00am on Wednesday.
It is likely to move north-northwestwards further and may cross north Odisha-West Bengal coast between Paradeep and Sagar island of India by Wednesday noon.
The maximum sustained wind speed with 84km of the very severe cyclonic centre is about 130kph rising to 150kph in gusts. Sea will remain very high near the very severe cyclonic centre, the Met Office said.
Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number 3.
Under the influence of very severe cyclone, the districts of Khulna, Sathkhira, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Bhola, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, and Chattogram and their offshore island and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm, said the forecast.
The BMD advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and the deep sea to remain in shelter till further notice.
