Online Desk: The ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm ‘Hamoon’ over Northwest Bay and adjoining Northeast Bay moved East-Northeastward, weakened into a severe cyclonic storm over the same area and it may cross Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar coast by Tuesday night.

At 3 pm, it was centred about 285 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 250 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 235 kms south of Mongla port and 180 kms south of Payra port, said a Met office bulletin.

It is likely to move east-northwestwards, weaken into a cyclonic storm and may cross Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar coast by tonight (Tuesday).

Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclonic storm, heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy (89mm) rainfall with gusty or squally wind is continuing over North Bay and coastal areas of Bangladesh.

The body of the system may start crossing the coast by 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday, it said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kms of the storm centre is about 90 kph rising to 110 kph in gusts or squalls.

Sea will remain high near the severe cyclonic centre.

Maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 7, while maritime port of, Cox’s Bazar has been advised to lower sanger signal No 6 but instead of hoist danger signal No 7 and maritime port of Payra have been advised to lower danger signal No 7 but instead hoist danger signal no 5 and maritime port of  Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 5.

The coastal districts of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 7.

Under the peripheral effect of the severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Barguna, Bhola, patuakhali, Barishal Pirojpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and the chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 3-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

Under the influence of the severe cyclone, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Due to very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.