Inland water vessel services suspended due to Fani

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended operations of all types of water vessels across the country due to cyclonic storm “Fani”, which is likely to hit Bangladesh’s coastal areas tomorrow.

The movement of launches, ferries and speedboats will remain halted on all waterways throughout the country until further notice, Kazi Shakil Newaz, secretary of BIWTA, told The Daily Star today.

The BIWTA also suspended leaves of its all officials and employees to tackle the situation, he said.

The department and offices under the Shipping Ministry will also remain open on May 3 and 4, UNB reports.

Khulna and adjacent districts are expected to witness the effects of Fani from tomorrow morning. 

DANGER LEVEL IN COASTAL AREAS

The signal at Mongla and Payra ports have been raised to danger level 7. The danger signal-7 also has been hoisted across the coastal lines of Patuakhali, Bhola, Borguna, Barishal, Pirojpur Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, and Satkhira.

Meanwhile, Chattogram port has been asked to hoist danger signal 6. The signal 6 also has been hoisted in Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, according to an updated cyclone warning.

Officials of the Met office told The Daily Star this morning that Fani might arrive with wind speed from 150-180km per hour while crossing Bangladesh.

THE CYCLONE HAS MOVED EAST

Last reported around 9:00am this morning, the eye of the cyclonic storm stood 1,065km southwest of Chattogram port and 925km southwest of Payra.

The projected track of severe cyclonic storm Fani updated on the morning of May 2, 2019. Photo: Indian Meteorological Department

The storm over west-central Bay moved north-northeastwards further over the same area, the special cyclone bulletin of Met Office said this morning.

The cyclone is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northeasterly direction, cross Odisha coast in India and then move towards West Bengal and gradually towards Khulna region of Bangladesh.