Low forms into depression, met office advises cautionary signal for ports

The well-marked low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent Sri Lanka coast has intensified into a depression, says the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

All four maritime ports in the country have been advised to raise distant cautionary signal No.1. The BMD has also advised fishing boats and trawlers not to venture into the deep sea, bdnews24.com reports.

In a special weather bulletin on Thursday morning, Meteorologist Md Omar Faruk said the well-marked low over the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjoining area of Sri Lanka coast had intensified into a depression and lay centred at near latitude 6.20°North and longitude 82.4°East.

On Thursday morning, the low was centred 2,060km southwest of Chattogram port, 2,000 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1,975km southwest of Mongla port, and 1,960km southwest of Payra port.

The BMD says the depression is likely to intensify and move further north-northwest. The maximum sustained wind speed within 44km of the depression’s centre was about 40kph, rising to 50kph in gusts and squalls. The sea remains very rough near the centre of the depression.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been asked to hoist distant cautionary signal No.1.

Fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay are instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.