Cyclone strengthens prompts signal 7 at Payra, Mongla

‘Remal’ likely to hit Bangladesh by today evening

Staff Correspondent: Cyclone Remal has intensified from a deep depression over the central Bay of Bengal, making landfall around 9:00 pm this evening. Maritime Ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist danger signal no 7, while the Maritime Ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been instructed to hoist danger signal no 6.
According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the deep low pressure developed into Cyclone Remal around 6:00 pm yesterday. At that time, the cyclone was approximately 365 km from the Payra port, 405 km from Mongla, 400 km from Cox’s Bazar, and 455 km from Chattogram.
Local meteorologists and the Indian Met Office suggest that Cyclone Remal could traverse Bangladesh for about three days after impacting the majority of coastal areas tonight. Earlier today, maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra were advised to hoist local cautionary signal no 3, serving as a warning to vessels and individuals in the area to exercise caution and be prepared for potentially adverse weather conditions. The warning also advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay and deep sea to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
Speaking to media, Meteorologist Muhammad Abul Kalam Mallik from the BMD Storm Warning Centre stated, “The deep depression is expected to intensify into a cyclone around 10:00 pm on Saturday. It may impact coastal areas including Satkhira, Bagerhat, Khulna, Barguna, Patuakhali, Pirojpur, and Bhola tonight.” “In the various models we’ve analyzed so far, the majority of the impact is likely to be on Bangladesh.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected to affect the country after the cyclone makes landfall. Although the cyclone will weaken after landfall, its impact may linger over the country for up to three days.” As of 12 pm today (May 25), the deep depression was centered approximately 500 kilometers southwest of Chattogram port, 435 kilometers southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 475 kilometers south of Mongla port, and 425 kilometers south of Payra port, according to the bulletin. The maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the deep depression center is about 50 kph, increasing to 60 kph in gusts or squalls.
The BMD classifies cyclones based on their wind speeds, ranging from “cyclonic storm” to “super cyclone”. Additionally, squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay, and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh, as per the Met Office bulletin.