Great danger signal 10 hoisted as cyclone closes in
November 14th, 2007
The Met Office on Wednesday evening flagged great danger signal 10 as cyclonic storm Sidr in the Bay of Bengal strengthened. It is likely to cross the Khulna-Barisal coast this noon.
The minimum sustained wind speed within 74km of the storm centre is about 190kmph, rising to 210kmph in gusts and squalls, a special bulletin of the Storm Warning Centre said.
The army, navy, police, Rapid Action Battalion and other forces in the coastal areas have been asked by the authorities to stand by in case of any emergency.
The storm with a core of hurricane winds over the east central Bay moved northwards, strengthened further and was centred at 6:00pm Wednesday about 755km south-southwest of Chittagong Port, 675km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar and 705km south of Mongla Port.
The sea will remain very high and the maritime port of Mongla has been advised to flag great danger signal 10. Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been asked to flag great danger signal 9.
Under the influence of the storm, the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Barguna, Chandpur, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands are likely to experience gusty and squally winds packing a speed of 60kmph to 80kmph or more.
The low areas of the costal districts and their offshore islands are likely to be inundated by storm surges of 8 to 10 feet above normal astronomical tide.
All the fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice, the Storm Warning Centre bulletin said.
Evacuation of people from coastal areas of Chittagong, including Anwara, Sandwip, Sitakunda and Banskhali, began at night, the Chittagong deputy commissioner, Ashraf Shamim, told New Age Wednesday night.
Chittagong airport was declared closed and all aircraft of the air force were flown away to safe destinations.
The local administration used loud-hailers to ask people to move to safe places, sources in the administration and the Red Crescent Society said.
Chittagong started experiencing drizzle Wednesday evening and the Chittagong port authorities suspended loading and unloading of cargos on the mother vessels in the outer anchorage as the sea had turned turbulent, a port official said.
Thousands of coastguards, police personnel, army men and volunteers have been kept standby for emergency rescue and relief operations once the sto