Well-Marked Low Intensifies Into a Depression: Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1 for Four Seaports, Sea Remains Rough
The well-marked low over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining area has moved west-northwestwards and intensified into a depression. Four seaports of the country have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal No. 1, and the sea remains rough.
The information was given in a special bulletin (serial No. 01) signed by meteorologist Md Tariful Newaz Kabir of the Storm Warning Centre of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Saturday (October 24), formally beginning the warning phase for the depression.
According to the bulletin, at 6 pm on Saturday the depression was located at latitude 15.7 degrees north and longitude 90.6 degrees east. At that time it was 735 kilometres south of Chattogram port, 655 kilometres south of Cox's Bazar port, 760 kilometres south of Mongla port and 700 kilometres south of Payra port.
The Met Office said the depression may move further and intensify. In other words, there is a possibility of it gaining strength in the coming period, which is why warning signals have been issued for the ports and instructions given for fishermen.
Within 44 kilometres of the depression's centre, the maximum sustained wind speed is 40 kilometres per hour, rising to 50 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls. Because of this wind, the sea near the centre of the depression remains rough.
As a result, the four seaports — Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra — have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal No. 1. The signal means a stormy system is developing at sea that the ports must keep under watch, although the danger is still distant.
At the same time, the Meteorological Department has instructed all fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay of Bengal not to venture into the deep sea until further notice. For fishermen at sea, this is the most important warning at this moment.
In its previous stage, the same system existed as a well-marked low. Moving west-northwestwards, it gathered strength and has now turned into a depression — in the natural progression of a sea weather system, a sign of the next stage.
The warning carries significance for people on the coast. A signal at the ports means fishermen, vessel operators and coastal residents must from now on keep an eye on the Met Office's next bulletins and follow the instructions.
The Meteorological Department's next special bulletin will show which direction the depression is moving and whether it is intensifying further. Until then, signal No. 1 will remain in force at the four ports, and the instruction not to venture into the deep sea will stay effective.
