Depression in Bay may turn into cyclone

The country is having light to moderate rainfall from Thursday night as a tropical depression has been formed in the Bay of Bengal.

The depression may continue for the next 24 hours from 6:00pm yesterday, but it is still not confirmed weather it will turn into a cyclone, said Arif Hossain, an official at the Met office.

He said the depression will increase the intensity of rainfall in that next 24 hours.

If the depression turns into a cyclone, it will be called “Cyclone Nada”, said sources at the Met office, adding that the cyclone may cause flooding in some parts of Bangladesh and eastern India.

Meanwhile, the first match of Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) which was scheduled to start at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at 2:30pm yesterday between defending champion Comilla Victorians and Rajshahi King was abandoned due to bad weather.

The depression over the west-central bay and adjoining area moved north-westwards and was centred at 12:00noon yesterday about 1035km west southwest of Chittagong port, 995km west-south-west of Cox's Bazar, 885km southwest of Mongla port and 895km southwest of Payra Port, said a Met office special bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north north-westerly direction. Under its influence, deep convection is taking place over the North Bay. Squally weather may affect the maritime ports and coastal areas of Bangladesh.

Sea will remain moderate near the depression centre.

Light to moderate rainfall over the country from Thursday evening may also see some heavy to very heavy showers till November 6.

The maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant cautionary signal No 3 as a deep convection is moving over the North Bay, added the bulletin.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay were advised to come close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.