The very severe cyclonic storm Fani has triggered rains accompanied by gusty winds in quite a number of districts, including Dhaka, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Narshingdi.
The rains in the capital lasted for 20 minutes starting at 9:35am and ending at 9:55am. Again, it started raining around 11:00am, only to stop some 15 minutes later.
A weather expert, Ashraf Uddin said, "Rains coupled with gusty winds will continue at various places across the country under the influence of Fani all over the day.''
Also in Patuakhali and Barguna, two of the coastal districts likely to be hit by the storm, it started raining at 2:45am.
Met officials earlier said the influence of the cyclone was likely to start this morning.
Meanwhile, Indian media reported that cyclone Fani has started making its impact felt in the Odisha coast.
After India, it is likely to hit Bangladesh's Khulna and adjoining southwestern part by this evening.
The storm was centred 605 km southwest of Mongla port and 635 km southwest of Payra port at 6:00am, according to a Met office bulletin on Friday.
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.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 7.
Coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 7.
The maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 6.
This danger signal is also effective for the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no six.
Meanwhile, the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal No 4.
During the cyclone, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola,Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands are likely to be inundated by 4-5 feet high storm surge above the normal astronomical tide.
The coastal districts and their offshore islands and char areas are likely to experience wind speed up to 90-110 kmp in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.
All the fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
The government has taken up all the necessary preparations to cushion the blow of the storm, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman on Thursday.
All concerned have been directed to operate control rooms round the clock, evacuate people and take them to shelter centres immediately after issuance of ‘very danger’ signal (signal No 8), he said.
Meanwhile, 4,071 cyclone centres in 19 coastal districts have been kept ready where solar system is available, he said.
The state minister added that two thousand packets of dry food, 200 tonnes of rice and cash amounting to Tk 5 lakh have been sent to the coastal districts.
Bangladesh's National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRRC) is providing updates, with opening control rooms in Cyclone Preparedness Programme(CPP) headquarters and 19 coastal districts.