B'desh to begin evacuations as cyclone approaches

The Bangladesh government will begin evacuating people from the country's coastal regions to safety on Tuesday as Cyclone Amphan approaches with growing intensity, according to Disaster Management and Relief Secretary Shah Kamal.

Cyclone Amphan moved northwards towards the coasts over the west central Bay of Bengal and was centred at about 800-900 km from the maritime ports at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Speaking to bdnews24 on Monday, Kamal said the cyclone was likely to cut its path through Bangladesh's coasts sometime between Tuesday midnight and Wednesday evening.

"We will start moving people into cyclone shelters from Tuesday afternoon."

Amphan is likely to move in a northerly direction and then recurve north-northeastwards before cutting its path through the Bangladesh coast between Khulna and Chattogram, said senior meteorologist Md Bazlur Rashid.

The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, and Chattogram will be under the danger signals.

The low-lying areas of these districts may experience flooding from tidal waves 4 to 5 feet higher than normal and heavy rainfall with winds packing speeds of up to 160 kph during Cyclone Amphan, the Met Office warned.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and remain there until further notice.