Depression Forms Over Bay of Bengal, May Intensify Further: Signal No. 1 at Four Seaports, Fishing Boats Told to Avoid Deep Sea

A well-marked low over the Bay of Bengal has turned into a depression. The weather office has asked the country's four seaports to hoist distant cautionary signal No. 1, and fishing boats and trawlers have been told not to venture into the deep sea as the sea remains rough.

In a special bulletin, the Meteorological Department said the well-marked low over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas moved west-northwestwards and turned into a depression over the east-central Bay and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal.

The information was given in the special weather bulletin of 6pm on Saturday (24 October). All eyes are now on this change from a low to a depression, because the bulletin says it may intensify further.

According to the bulletin, at 6pm the depression was located 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 weather office said the depression may move further south and intensify. When such systems gain strength, gusty winds and rainfall usually increase in coastal areas, which is why the advance caution has been issued.

Within 44 kilometres of the depression centre, the maximum sustained wind speed is 40 kilometres per hour, rising to 50 kilometres per hour in gusts. For that reason, the sea near the centre of the depression remains rough.

In this situation, the seaports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been asked to keep hoisting distant cautionary signal No. 1 (repeated) No. 1. Keeping the signal in place means port authorities and coastal residents must keep watching the situation.

In addition, the Meteorological Department has instructed fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay of Bengal not to venture into the deep sea until further notice. Fishers and trawler owners have been asked to follow the instruction strictly.

Meanwhile, in the weather forecast for the country until 6pm on Sunday, the Meteorological Department said rain or thundershowers with temporary gusty winds may occur at one or two places over the Chattogram division.

Elsewhere in the country, however, the sky may be partly cloudy but the weather is likely to remain mainly dry, the forecast said. That suggests the depression's impact is for now likely to stay limited mainly to the sea and coastal areas.

The formation of lows and depressions in the Bay of Bengal in this season is not new, but each time their path and strength become important for millions of people on the coast. This time too, the level of the next warning will depend on which direction the depression moves and how much it strengthens.

The weather office is monitoring the situation and will share new information in its next special bulletin. Coastal residents, fishers and those connected with the ports have been advised to follow the latest bulletins.