Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) on Sunday morning issued its own alert-4 after the met office asked the maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram to hoist great danger signal number 9.
Meanwhile, Chattogram port, which controls about 92 percent of the country’s import-export trade, has also suspended its operational activities.
Mohammad Omar Faruk, Secretary of Chattogram Port Authority, said the alert-4 has been issued at the port. All operational activities of the port has been suspended. Vessels at outer anchorage have also been directed to stay safe and maintain constant communication with the port and follow necessary instructions.
Earlier in the day, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a latest special weather bulletin said the cyclonic storm “Remal” over the northwest bay and adjoining area moved northwards and intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the same area.
BMD advised maritime ports of Payra and Mongla to keep hoisted great danger signal number ten while it issued nine for Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.
It said the cyclonic storm was centered at 6pm about 400 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 360 kms south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 330 kms south of Mongla port and 295 kms south of Payra port. It is likely to intensify further and move northwards. It is likely to move in a northerly direction and may cross the Sagar Island and Khepupara coasts of West Bengal near Mongla by this evening or midnight.