The severe cyclonic storm ‘Bulbul’ started crossing the southwestern Bangladesh coastlines packing winds up to 100 kilometres per hour early on Sunday (Nov 10) as it completed crossing West-Bengal-Khulna coast near Sundarbans.
“The cyclonic storm “Bulbul” appeared to weaken and it is now crossing coastal districts of the country with a wind speed ranging from 80kph to 100kph,” Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, an official of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told BSS.
The Sundarban has protected coastal districts of Bangladesh from the wrath of the tropical cyclone, he said, adding that “The mangrove forest has acted as a buffer to save coastlines of the country. Otherwise costal districts would have been severely affected by the cyclone Bulbul.”
After completing crossing West Bengal-Khulna coast (near Sundarbans), the forward peripheral of the cyclone hit Bangladesh coastlines at around 5 this morning, Mallik said.
The wind velocity of the cyclone varies in different coastal districts during its crossing, he said.
Under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the costal district is experiencing heavy rainfall inundating low-lying areas, the met official said, adding other parts of the country may witness rainfall until the crossing of the storm is completed.
The coast-crossing-severe-cyclonic-storm ‘bulbul’ moved slowly northeastwards and completed crossing west Bengal-Khulna coast near the Sundarbans at about 5 am this morning and now lies over Khulna and adjoining southwestern part of Bangladesh, a Met Office weather bulletin said.
“It is likely to move in a northeasterly direction and weaken gradually. Under its influence sea will remain very rough near the severe cyclone centre,” it said.
Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisting great danger signal no 10 while coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will also come under this great danger warning.
The maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisting great danger
signal no nine as coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laximipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars have come under the cautionary.
Besides, local warning signal number four has remained in place for the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar.
The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laximipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 80-100 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.
Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm “bulbul” and the moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, 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.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
