Cyclone Mandous: Maritime ports asked to hoist signal 2

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra were advised to hoist the distant warning signal number two as a deep depression turned into cyclonic storm “Mandous” over the Bay of Bengal on Thursday.

The deep depression over Southwest Bay and adjoining Southeast Bay moved to west-northwestwards and intensified into the cyclonic storm, said a special weather bulletin.

The cyclonic storm was centred at 06 am on Thursday about 1650 Km Southwest of Chattogram port, 1590- km Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1565 km Southwest of Mongla port and 1550 km Southwest of Payra port. It is likely to move in a West-Northwesterly direction.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea were advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution. They were also advised not to venture in the deep sea.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre was about 62 kph rising to 88kph in gusts or squalls.  Sea remained very rough near the eye of the cyclone.

However, according to latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the wind speed at Dhaka was 8-12 kph directed North/North-easterly and the weather remained mainly dry with partly cloudy sky over the country.

The cyclonic storm was named ‘Cyclone Mandous’, which was given by the United Arab Emirates that means a treasure box in the Arabic language.