The well-marked low over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea has intensified into a depression over the same area.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department asked the maritime ports to hoist distant cautionary signal No. 1 as the system moved slightly northwestwards and was situated around 1,400 kilometres from the ports on Saturday noon, reports bdnews24.com.
All fishing boats and trawlers have been advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.
The system is likely to intensify further and move in a northwesterly direction, said meteorologist Md Shahinul Islam.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 44-km of the depression centre is about 40 kph rising to 50 kph in gusts. The sea will remain moderate near the depression centre.
If the system develops into a storm, it will be called Cyclone Asani, a name given by Sri Lanka.
The storm is likely to make landfall between Visakhapatnam and Bhubaneshwar between May 10-11, the Hindustan Times reported, citing officials of the Indian Meteorological Department.
Bangladesh’s disaster management ministry assessed the administration’s preparedness for the cyclone.
After a meeting on Thursday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman said they would hold another meeting to carry out the instructions to the field-level officials following the warning or distant warning issued over the possible cyclone.
Storm shelters will be prepared if low pressure is formed.
In Sunday’s forecast, the Meteorological Department said rains or thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning flashes and temporary gusty wind are likely to occur in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Dhaka and Chattogram.
