The cyclonic storm "Sitrang" completed crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night as well as weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation and now lies over Dhaka-Cumilla-Brahmanbaria and adjoining area as a land depression. "Coast crossing cyclonic storm "Sitrang" moved north-northeastwards very fast, completed crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night," said a latest special bulletin of the met office here.   It said the Sitrang also weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation and now lies over Dhaka-Cumilla-Brahmanbaria and adjoining area as a land depression and steep pressure gradient persists over north bay. Maritime ports of Mongla, Payra and Chattogram have been advised to lower danger signal no. 07 (seven), but instead hoist local cautionary signal no. three (r) three, the bulletin said. Maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been advised to lower danger signal no. 06 (six), but instead hoist local cautionary signal no. three (r) three. Under the influence of new moon phase and steep pressure gradient the low-lying areas of the coastal districts Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Baristial, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 03-05 feet above normal astronomical tide. All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice. It said no further special weather bulletin will be issued in this series. Cyclonic storm Sitrang has lost its strength as it made landfall and its centre touched Bangladesh coastline nearly five hours ago around 9pm on Monday. Earlier meteorologist Md Shahinul Islam of Bangladesh Meteorological Department told BSS that Sitrang was losing its strength rapidly as it started crossing coastline since 9pm. "Every cyclone starts losing strength after it landfalls and its eye moves over land," he said. However, over 2.19 lakh people from 15 coastal districts of the country were evacuated until 5 pm on Monday.  "At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts by 5pm on Monday," a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman told BSS on Monday evening. A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was underway to minimize human casualties as "we have kept ready 6,925 cyclone centers" expecting the last person exposed to cyclone dangers to take refuge there.  All the educational institutions of Khulna, Barishal and Chittagong divisions will remain closed tomorrow due to cyclone Sitrang. The Ministry of Education has given instructions to use the educational institutions in the cyclone-affected areas as shelters, according to a press release of the education ministry. The ministry said classes of the educational institutions which will be used as shelters will be closed until further orders. A total 17 ships of two Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and two helicopters of Bangladesh Navy have completed all necessary preparations for deployment in Chattogram, Khulna and Mongla naval areas to conduct emergency rescue, relief and medical assistance activities after cyclone 'Sitrang' hits the coastal region. These ships have already been prepared with relief goods to provide emergency rescue, relief and medical assistance for the cyclone victims as soon as possible, said a press release of Inter Service Public Relation (ISPR) Directorate on Monday evening. In addition, naval contingents have been kept ready for deployment after the cyclone lashes the coastal areas. Three airports at Bangladesh's coastal belt in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Barishal will remain closed till 12 pm on Tuesday due to the inclement weather induced by the cyclone Sitrang. The Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) has decided to shut down all operation of these three airports from 3 pm today to 12 pm on Tuesday, according to a CAAB press release. The CAAB will review its decision after observing the weather situation, said the release. State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman has said directives have been given to evacuate people from the vulnerable areas. The Agriculture Ministry has suggested cutting Aman rice, which is 80 percent ripe, to minimise the possible brunt of the approaching cyclonic storm Sitrang. The direction was given along with a set of directives in a preparatory meeting of the ministry on Monday. Leave of all officers and employees of offices and organisations under the ministry has been canceled and they have been asked to stay in office constantly to face the urgent situation. It suggested opening control rooms at agriculture department offices at district and upazila levels to keep communication round the clock. Farmers should be given necessary suggestions to take pre-cautionary measures and face the post-cyclone situation. Source: BSS

The depression created in the north-west Bay of Bengal and adjacent area has turned into deep depression. The met office has asked the four seaport authorities to hoist local cautionary signal number four. Besides, due to the depression heavy to extreme heavy rainfall may occur over Rajshahi, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions. On the other hand, downpour is happening from the morning in different parts of the country including capital Dhaka as an effect of the depression. The tendency of rainfall may continue in the next 48 hours and then it may ease. AH 

After changing its direction the cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ is heading towards the Sundarbans coast. For that reason the Meteorological Directorate has asked Mongla and Payra seaports to hoist great danger signal number 10. Meteorologist AKM Ruhul Quddus of the meteorological directorate delivered the information through a notice (serial no. 31) served at 6 am. The notice said, at 6 am the cyclonic storm Amphan was situated 565 kilometers south-west of Chattogram seaport, 545 kilometers south-west of Cox’s Bazar, 390 kilometers south-west of Mongla seaport and 410 kilometers south-west of Payra seaport. Advancing towards north-north-east direction it can pass through the India’s West Bengal and Bangladesh coastal areas in the evening (Wednesday). The notice also said, maximum sustained wind speed within 85 kms of the cyclone centre is about 200 kph rising to 220 kph in gusts/squalls. The sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre. Mongla and Payra posrts are asked to hoist great danger signal number 10 in place of singnal number 7. Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirozpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laksmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will be under coverage of great danger signal number 10. Chattogram seaports and Cox’s Bazar are asked to hoist danger signal number 6.Coastal districts of Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and the nearest islands and chars will be under coverage of signal number 6. Under the influence of the cyclone, low lying areas in coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surges climbing 10-15 feet above the normal astronomical tide. All the fishing boats and trawlers have been advised not to venture into the deep sea. AH

Danger signal number 6 has been imposed for Chattogram seaport due to the effect of cyclone ‘Bulbul’ created in Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to hoist danger signal number 7. Meteorologist Md. Abul Kalam Mallik of the meteorological directorate issued the alert on Friday evening. Earlier Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports were asked to hoist local cautionary signal number 4. The met office said, cyclone ‘Bulbul’ is turning into a severe cyclonic storm. At the beginning the wind speed of the cyclone was 80-90 kilometers per hours. But from Friday noon its pace is increasing. ‘Bulbul’ has turned into a category two cyclonic storm. It may hit with wind speed of 130 kilometers per hour. On the other hand Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) suspended movement of all types of water transport in the internal waterways due to the cyclone ‘Bulbul’. AH