As the very severe cyclonic storm 'Bulbul' intensified in the Bay of Bengal, the Met Office has asked maritime ports of Mongla and Payra to hoist danger signal number seven, and ports of Chattogram to hoist danger signal number six.
In a special weather bulletin on Friday (Nov 8) evening, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department advised the three maritime ports to lower its earlier local warning signal no four.
The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisting local warning signal number four, the bulletin said.

According to the Met office, Bulbul, situated over west-central bay and adjoining east-central bay moved northwards, intensified further and now lies over northwest bay and adjoining west-central bay.

At 6pm, the very severe cyclonic storm was centred about 620km southwest of Chittagong port, 585km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 495km southwest of Mongla port, and 490km southwest of Payra port.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northeasterly direction and may cross West Bengal- Khulna coast (near Sundarbans) by Saturday evening, the bulletin said.

Under its peripheral influence, gusty wind may affect the maritime ports, north bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh from early Saturday, it said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 120kph rising to 140kph in gusts.

Under the influence of Bulbul and the moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 5-7 feet height above normal astronomical tide, the bulletin said.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice, it added.