Very severe cyclone Fani is likely to hit Khulna and the adjoining southwestern part of Bangladesh by Friday midnight, the country's Meteorological Department has said in its latest special bulletin.
At 12 noon, it was about 495 km southwest of Mongla port, 535 km southwest of Payra port, 690 km west-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port and 700 km west-southwest of Chattogram port.
Khulna and the adjoining southwestern coastal region of the country have been experiencing the peripheral effect of Fani that hit India at 9:00am, from morning of today.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kms of the storm centre is about 180 kph rising to 200 kph in gusts/ squalls. Sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.
Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven.
Coastal districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven.
Maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six, the bulletin said on Friday.
Coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number six.
Maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal number four.
Under the influence of Fani and the new 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 a storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
All the fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.