Cyclone Hamoon weakens, makes landfall with gusty winds, heavy rainfall

The cyclonic storm Hamoon started crossing the Bangladesh coast at about 6pm yesterday, triggering gusty winds and heavy rainfall across Cox's Bazar, as it weakened from a severe cyclone to a normal one.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department forecast that coastal areas may see tides three to five feet above normal. It is likely to cross Bangladesh territory by Tuesday night.

The local administration in the southern district mobilised extensive efforts to deal with the cyclone with the government relocating at least 15 lakh people to shelters.

As per the Met office, the cyclone is moving towards the Chattogram and Cox's Bazar coasts at a speed of 25 kmph. Meteorologists believe that the wind speed at the time of impact could be 70 to 90 kmph.

Imam Uddin, assistant meteorologist of Cox's Bazar meteorological office, said, "Around 20 mm rainfall was recorded in the districts from 6am to 12pm on Tuesday. But now the level of rain has increased. Wind speed has also increased."

Meanwhile, the cyclonic storm has already stopped rampaging in Maheshkhali upazila's Kutubjum union, locals reported at around 10:00pm.

"Hamoon did the unthinkable. Its rampage ended by 9:30pm. Many houses were damaged and trees were uprooted due to strong wind. But the situation returned to normal," Advocate Sheikh Kamal, chairman of Kutubjum union, said.

Earlier, the Met office said the storm is likely to cross Bangladesh territory by 9pm-11pm Tuesday at speeds ranging from 89 kmph to 117 kmph.

The maritime ports of Payra and Chattogram have been asked to hoist danger signal no seven, for Cox's Bazar danger no six and five for Mongla.

The coastal districts of Barishal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barguna, Pirozpur, Jhalakathi, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur and other offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal number seven.

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

Besides, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has announced the suspension of all types of water vessel services across the country due to inclement weather conditions caused by the cyclone.

Govt moves 15 lakh people to shelters

State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman said yesterday the government has decided to take the people of the risk prone area to the shelter as danger signal number seven has been issued.

He added 74,020 volunteers of cyclone preparedness programme (CPP) are currently working in 3,701 units of 355 unions under 41 upazilas of 13 coastal districts.

"We have already allocated money for providing cooked food and drinking water, food for children and cow fodder. A fund of Tk20 lakh and 50 tonnes of rice have been allotted to each district. Moreover, Tk1 crore has been allocated for baby food and Tk1 crore for cattle feed," the minister said.

Preparation of local authorities

To face the catastrophe of the cyclone, the deputy commissioners of the 10 vulnerable districts have already organised meetings with all the Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) concerned as per the Standing Order on Disaster (SOD) aiming to ensure every possible preparedness measure and reduce disaster risks.

In Barishal, 541 cyclone response centres have been established, along with 61 medical teams and 322 tonnes of rice, as reported by Barishal Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam during a meeting at the district conference room.

The deputy commissioner also disclosed an allocation of Tk936,000 in cash to address post-disaster scenarios.

In Lakshmipur, the district administration has arranged 185 permanent and 100 temporary shelters. The meteorological office has issued danger signal no 7 for the district, prompting the suspension of ships on the Lakshmipur-Bhola-Barishal route and ferries on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route.

As the cyclone approaches, the Met office has issued Danger Signal No-5 for the coastal areas of Satkhira.

Humayun Kabir, deputy commissioner of Satkhira, highlighted the availability of 300 shelters and 5,000 volunteers in the district.

Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar's 'radar station', a crucial installation for gathering advance warnings of various disasters, including deep-sea cyclones, is currently non-operational.

Imam Uddin, assistant meteorologist at the Cox's Bazar Regional Office of DMD, explained that it has been out of commission for some time due to technical issues.

He added, "Weather information is being received from other radar stations operational in the country. If the Cox's Bazar radar was operational, it would have been possible to provide more accurate data."

In Chattogram, the coastal areas may be at risk of flash flooding due to a wind-driven surge, elevating sea levels by 3-5 feet above the normal astronomical tide, as per the Met office.

Around 8,800 volunteers from 440 units operating under the Cyclone Preparedness Program are actively engaged in these upazilas, aiding in the relocation of vulnerable individuals to designated cyclone shelters.

The Department of Health has mobilised 290 medical teams to provide necessary assistance to those affected by the cyclone.

Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Abul Basar Mohammad Fakhruzzaman highlighted the heightened vulnerability of Sandwip Island, which is projected to be directly impacted by the cyclone. "Across the district, 803 cyclone shelters are now operational," he said.

Fakhruzzaman assured that an ample supply of oral saline, water purification tablets, and dry provisions have been secured and will be promptly dispatched to the respective upazilas as per the requisitions provided by the UNOs.

Meanwhile, due to the persistent heavy rainfall since Tuesday morning, an initiative has been undertaken in the hilly areas of Chattogram to provide safe shelters for the residents.

Ctg port issues alert 3, relocates lighter vessels

The Chattogram Port Authority issued its own danger signal "Alert 3" yesterday as severe cyclonic storm Hamoon is approaching the country's coastal areas.

The port authority instructed that all ships currently moored at the port's jetty should be relocated to the outer anchorage following the enforcement of the alert.

At the same time, the unloading of goods from mother vessels at the outer anchorage of Chattogram has been temporarily halted due to the adverse weather conditions.

Sources say 22 ships were sent into the deep sea from the port jetty on Tuesday afternoon from 4 pm to 8 pm, one by one after the tide came in. Additionally, 66 bulk carrier ships staying at the port's outer anchorage were also sent to the deep sea.