The government has started taking preparation to face a possible cyclone that may hit Bangladesh as well as neighbouring West Bengal by May 26.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) has already instructed volunteers in the coastal areas to carry out awareness campaign so that the people can take preparation beforehand.
"As it (cyclone) still remains a low pressure, nothing to be worried right now. However, we are taking all preparations to face it," state minister for Disaster Management and Relief (DMR) Enamur Rahman told a press briefing at the ministry on Saturday.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its special weather bulletin issued on Saturday afternoon said that a low has formed over the east-central Bay and adjoining areas which is likely to intensify into a depression and further into a deep depression and then into a cyclonic storm.
It advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist distant cautionary signal number one, and the fishermen not to venture into the deep sea.
It also advised the fishermen, who were already in the deep sea, to return to the coast by today (Sunday).
However, the state minister said the government has gotten complete information about the forecast and added that the low pressure is very likely to intensify into a cyclone storm by May 24.
"It's now directed towards Odisha and West Bengal. If it moves directly towards Bangladesh, it would hit Khulna division," he said.
He further said that the cyclone named 'Yash' might hit Bangladesh by May 26 with a wind speed ranging between 120kilometres per hour and 190 km/h.
DMR secretary Md Mohsin, who was present at the briefing, said the ministry was well prepared to face the consequences of the cyclone.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com