Very Severe Cyclone Bearing Down on the Coast: Winds May Reach 140 km/h at Landfall

Concern is growing over the depression gathering strength in the Bay of Bengal. According to the latest forecast-based reports, the system may turn into a 'very severe' cyclone and strike the coast, with wind speeds at landfall possibly reaching 140 kilometres per hour. For the coastal region, this is now the biggest weather alert.

The Met Office had already said in an earlier special bulletin that the depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay could intensify into a deep depression and then gradually strengthen into a very severe cyclone, crossing India's Andhra coast around 28 October.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department shared the information in a special weather bulletin on Sunday (25 October). The system formed over the sea is now at the centre of observation not only for Bangladesh's coast but for the entire north Bay of Bengal region.

According to the bulletin, the depression was located at latitude 15.2 degrees north and longitude 91.0 degrees east.

At 6 am today (25 October), it was positioned 785 kilometres south of Chattogram port, 700 kilometres south of Cox's Bazar port, 820 kilometres south of Mongla port and 760 kilometres south of Payra port.

The bulletin said the depression could move southward, intensify and become a deep depression today over the east-central Bay and adjoining southeast Bay.

Later, it may gradually change course and move west-northwestward. Along that track, it has been forecast to take the shape of a very severe cyclone — and the latest reports now raise the fear that winds at the time of landfall could reach up to 140 kilometres per hour.

Within 44 kilometres of the depression's centre, maximum sustained wind speed was 40 kilometres per hour, rising to 50 kilometres per hour in gusts — an indication that the system was gathering strength. That strength is now forecast to increase much further.

The sea remains rough near the depression's centre. This condition of the sea is increasing the risk for vessels in the deep sea, prompting the weather office to issue cautions.

Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra maritime ports have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal number one. As the system advances toward the coast, the signal level may rise.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay of Bengal have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice. Staying near the coast rather than in the deep sea is now the safe course for fishers.