Sitrang intensifies into cyclonic storm

The deep depression in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm -- Sitrang.

The Met office has asked the maritime ports to hoist cautionary Signal No 4.

Earlier, State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management Enamur Rahman said the depression was yet to form into a cyclone.

Under the influence of deep depression, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 5-7ft above normal astronomical tide, reads special weather bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department released in the evening.

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Cyclone Sitrang: 1,010 shelter centres ready in 3 districts 

Meanwhile, Indian Metrological Department has said that considering all the above, the cyclonic storm Sitrang over central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a "severe cyclonic storm" in the 24 hours after October 24 over northwest Bay of Bengal.

The cyclone will mainly affect the Sundarbans spread across Bangladesh and West Bengal.