CHATTOGRAM May 26: The operational activities of the Chattogram Port, prime sea port of the country, have been suspended as the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) announced danger signal number 9 for the maritime ports of Chattogram and Coxs Bazar while danger signal no 10 for Payra and Mongla ports as the cyclonic storm "remal" makes a landfall along the coast on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) on Sunday issued its own Alert No 4 and shifted the vessels to the Outer Anchorage as severe cyclonic storm is brewing over the Bay of Bengal.
The port authorities have taken extensive preparations to protect it from possible damages by the cyclone after the met office issued danger signal 9 for Chattogram port.
The announcement was made in an emergency meeting held at the port building at 11:00am on Sunday.
The Civil Aviation authorities suspended flight operations in Chattogram and Coxs Bazar Airports since Sunday morning.
The massive preparations have been taken to prevent damages to port channels, ships, handling equipment, cargo and containers in the storm.
A special control room had been opened in the CPA to monitor the situation during the cyclone at the port for 24 hours.
Small and medium-size vessels adjacent to the river port have been asked to move upstream. The vessels have started taking up positions on the banks of the Karnaphuli River, upstream from the Chattogram port and from the Sadarghat to the Shah Amanat Bridge.
The heavy machinery that needs to be moved will be removed, and those objects that have to be tied down will be tied down.
Chattogram district administration and Chattogram City Corporation have also taken necessary measures including sending the people of the coastal areas to shelters and creating awareness through loud speakers.
Meanwhile, the government instructed people living in vulnerable areas to evacuate to safer places.
Meanwhile, the Met office in a latest cyclone warning bulletin asked Maritimes ports of Payra and Mongla to hoist great danger signal no 10 while it issued nine for Coxs Bazar and Chattogram ports.
"The cyclonic storm Remal is likely to move in a northerly direction and may cross Sagar island of West Bengal-Khepupara coast near Mongla by evening or midnight today(Sunday)," according to the bulletin issued by the met office this morning.
The cyclonic storm Remal over North West Bay and adjoining area moved Northwards, intensified into severe cyclonic storm over the same area and was centered at 6:00am today is about 400kms Southwest of Chattogram port.
Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone rain with gust wind has started over coastal regions of Bangladesh.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 km of the eye of the cyclone is about 90 kph rising to 120 kph in gust or squalls. Sea will remain high near the severe cyclone center.
Maritimes ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to hoist danger signal no 10. The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagherhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokhati, Borguna, Barishal, Bhola,Patuakhali and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal no ten.
The coastal district of Chattogram, Coxs Bazar, Feni, Cumilla, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under great signal no 9.
Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagherhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokhati, Borguna, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Cumilla, Chattogram, Coxs Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 8 to 12 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
Under the influence of the cyclone Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy rainfall (over 89mm) with gusty or squally wind.
Due to very heavy rainfall landslide may occur at place over the hilly regions of Coxs Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram.
All fishing boats and the trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
