Though fears of a major disaster have already gone away, cyclone Fani may not leave Bangladesh until this afternoon.
Located west of Dhaka, the centre of the cyclone it may leave the country by 4:00pm, said Shamsuddin Ahmed, director of the Meteorological Department, local media reported.
Earlier in the morning, Fani weakened into a cyclonic storm from a very severe cyclonic one before moving over the country from India.
In a special bulletin, Meteorological Department said that under the influence of the cyclonic storm, the sky remains overcast and rain/thunder showers with gusty or squally wind continue across the country.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kilometres of the storm centre is about 62 kmph rising to 88 kmph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough, according to the Met Office forecast.
Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven.
Coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will also come under the same signal.
Maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six.
The same signal will cover coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars.
Maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal number four.
Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic storm “Fani” and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola,
Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and Chars are likely to be inundated by a storm surge of 2-4 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
