The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Mongla, and Payra, as well as the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar, to hoist Local Cautionary Signal No-3 following the formation of a monsoon depression in the Bay of Bengal.
According to a special weather bulletin issued on Sunday afternoon, a well-marked low-pressure area over the Northwest Bay and adjoining Odisha-West Bengal coastal areas has intensified into a monsoon depression.
As of 12pm, the system was centred around 425 km west-southwest of Chattogram port, 415 km west of Cox’s Bazar, 245 km west-southwest of Mongla port, and 265 km west-southwest of Payra port.
The weather office noted that the depression is likely to move in a northwestward direction and may intensify further. Under its influence, squally weather is expected to affect the maritime ports, the North Bay, and adjacent coastal areas of Bangladesh.
The BMD reported that the maximum sustained wind speed within 44 km of the depression centre is approximately 40 km/h, rising to 50 km/h in gusts or squalls. Consequently, the sea remains rough near the centre of the system.
Considering these conditions, all fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay have been instructed to seek safe shelter immediately and remain there until further notice.
Regarding the general weather outlook, the 24-hour forecast starting from 9am indicates that light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places across the Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions.
Similar conditions may be observed at a few places in the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, and Mymensingh divisions, with moderately heavy rainfall expected in some parts of the country.
