bangladesh
Sitrang likely to hit by midnight or early Tuesday with 5-8 ft tidal surge
Cyclone Sitrang is likely to intensify further, move in a north, north-easterly direction and cross Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by midnight or early Tuesday, the latest Met office bulletin said.
“Sitrang over east-central Bay, adjoining west-central Bay and north Bay, moved north-northwest wards over northwest Bay and adjoining northeast Bay,” said the bulletin.
Most parts of the country, including Dhaka, are seeing moderate to heavy rains since Monday morning under the impact of the approaching cyclone.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Power distribution, transmission entities asked to open control rooms
Authorities have prepared more than 7,000 cyclone shelters to evacuate people while all fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay and deep sea have been asked to remain anchored until further notice.
Authorities in Chattogram and other hilly districts have warned that landslides could occur if incessant rains continue.
Besides, the low-lying areas of coastal Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar districts and their offshore islands and char areas are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surges at 5-8 feet, said the bulletin.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Power supply disrupted in Pirojpur, Madaripur
UNB correspondents from southern coastal region reported heavy rains and tidal surges since this morning.
The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep danger signal No 7 hoisted while for Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar it’s signal No 6.
Sitrang was centered at 12 pm on Monday about 440 km southwest of Chattogram port, 395 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 365 km south-southwest of Mongla port, and 335 km south-southwest of Payra port.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: PM Hasina monitoring situation, giving instructions
The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and three others offshore islands will come under danger signal 7.
Besides, the river ports of these districts have been advised to hoist danger signal 3.
The coastal districts of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and three other offshore islands will also come under danger signal 6.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Nothing much to worry, says State Minister Enamur
Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88kph in gusts or squalls, it added.
North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty or squally winds of 50-60 kph due to cylone Sitrang.
Bangladesh-Switzerland bilateral trade exceeds $ 1 billion
Dr. Mohammad Afroz Jalil, Country Manager of Roche Bangladesh Ltd. has been elected President of the Switzerland Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SBCCI) for 2022-2024.Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh, Nathalie Chuard, conveyed best wishes to SBCCI and shared her experience on Bangladesh and potential business opportunities.
“This year has been significant for both Switzerland and Bangladesh. We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations and our bilateral trade surpassed the $1 billion mark for the first-time last year,” Ambassador Chuard was quoted by the SBCCI as saying.
Terming SBCCI as a member of “ᴛᴇᴀᴍ Switzerland” in Bangladesh, she also said that together much more can be done to strengthen the bilateral economic ties and address questions related to business climate.
Saad Omar Fahim, Director of Clarichem Limited, has been elected Secretary General while Tarun Patwary, Country Manager of Kuehne + Nagel, was elected as treasurer of the bilateral chamber of commerce.
Vice President from the investor group is Abdur Rashid (Country Manager of SGS Bangladesh Ltd.), and Vice President from the agent group is Vidiya Amrit Khan (Director of Tutelar Oil Services Co. Pvt. Ltd.).
The rest of the EC members are Abdul Matin Chowdhury (MD of New Asia Ltd.), Debabrata Roy Chowdhury (Director – Legal, RSA, Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary at Nestlé Bangladesh Limited), Julian A. Weber (CEO, Secure Link Services BD Ltd), Iqbal Chowdhury (CFO - LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Ltd.), Hedayet Ullah (Managing Director, Syngenta Bangladesh Limited), Saiful Islam (Chairman & M.D - Daffodil Trading Ltd), Mohammad Abul Hasnat (CEO - Hasnat Enterprise & Swiss Elegance), and Sontosh Chandra Nath (MD & CEO- Alpha Vision Limited).
The new Executive Committee (EC) was announced at the 11th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the SBCCI held recently at a city hotel.
At the event, Dr. Jalil shed light on the present global economic situation.
“As we are in a post-pandemic period and Russia-Ukraine war is on, we need to demonstrate our indomitable character,” he said, expressing his commitment to maintain the chamber's vigorous efforts to speed up bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Switzerland.
SBCCI’s advisor Naquib Khan lauded the organization's initiatives and recalled the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh and Switzerland's diplomatic relations. He expressed optimism that bilateral trade will increase in the near future despite all the barriers and difficulties on the international stage.
After the Ambassador's remarks, the chamber's annual operations were presented by Saad Omar Fahim.
Managing Director of New Asia Limited Abdul Matin Chowdhury also spoke.
Cyclone Sitrang: Electricity supply snapped in Patuakhali
Power supply in Patuakhali district has been snapped since this noon as many electric poles were uprooted during a storm due to the impact of cyclonic storm Sitrang.
Mohammad Mainuddin Razzaque, executive engineer of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited, said a bout of moderate to heavy rains lashed the district in the morning, uprooting many electric poles.
Besides, electric wires in several areas have been snapped, disrupting power supply.
According to the local weather observatory centre, the Met Office has recorded 89.5 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, till 9 am today.
Also read: Cyclone Sitrang: Loading, unloading suspended at Chittagong Port; Alert-3 issued
Payra port has been asked to hoist local cautionary signal no 7.
The local administration has taken all preparations to tackle the storm and 703 cyclone centers were opened.
All educational institutions and high rise buildings have been kept ready to shelter people. The local administration has allocated 300 metric tons of rice and Tk 2.27 lakh cash. Local health department has formed 72 medical teams to provide medical services to the people. The movement of all kinds of water vessels during Cyclone Sitrang remain suspended in the district.
Preparations taken to evacuate 3 lakh people in Bhola char areas
The district administration has taken preparations to move some three lakh residents of the char areas of Bhola district to the shelters as cyclone ‘Sitrang’ is likely to make a landfall in southern Bangladesh coast by early Tuesday.
Due to the impact of Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ the residents of Bhola districts have been experiencing light to moderate rain since Monday morning.
Mahbub Rahman, an officer of Bhola Weather Observatory Centre, said the local met office recorded 72 mm of rainfall in 24 hours till 3 pm on Monday .
Besides, the launch and ferry services on Dhaka-Barishal route remained suspended.
The low-lying areas of Dhalchar area were flooded due to tidal surges caused by cyclone ‘Sitrang’.
Six teams of Bangladesh Coast Guards are working in the district and they were seen making people alert about the cyclone through loudspeakers.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Nothing much to worry, says State Minister Enamur
Deputy Commissioner Toufique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, said already 746 cyclone shelters were prepared while 1,306 educational institutions will also be kept ready.
Besides, the authorities opened eight control rooms while 76 medical teams and 13,600 volunteers were also kept ready, he said.
District Relief and Rehabilitation officer Delwar Hossain said 25 metric tonnes of rice and Tk 5 lakh were allocated while preparation were taken to provide 1000 packets of dry food at the cyclone shelters.
Cyclone Sitrang: Flight operations at Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal airports suspended
Flight operations to and from Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and Barishal airports have been suspended due to the inclement weather.
The flight operations to and from the airports were suspended at 3 pm today and will remain shut till 12 pm on Tuesday, Mohammad Sohel Quamruzzaman, public relatiosn officer of Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority told UNB.
The decision has been taken due to the impact of the cyclonic storm ‘Sitrang’ as it may make a landfall in the southern coast of the country by early Tuesday.
The decision to resume the flight operations will be taken after observing the overall situation, he said.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Nothing much to worry, says State Minister Enamur
Cyclone Sitrang: Power supply disrupted in Pirojpur, Madaripur
Power supply has been disrupted in different areas in Pirojpur and Madaripur districts due to Cyclone ‘Sitrang’ that triggered torrential rains in the coastal area of the country.
“’We’ve received information of power supply disruption in Pirojpur and Madaripur. Our engineers are trying to fix them,” Azharul Islam, managing director of the West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL), told UNB.
He also informed that five coastal districts out of total 21 district under the WZPDC power distribution network are now taking preparations to face the cyclone. These are Barisal, Bhola, Barguna, Satkhira and Pirojpur.
The WZPDCL chief noted that his organization has taken preparation to deal with any kind of situation in power supply before and after the cyclone hit the areas.
“We’ve readied our teams with necessary equipment to immediately reach the spot if any disruption occurs,” he added.
He said that electricity demand in the districts under WZPDCL is relatively much lower than a normal day.
Normally, districts under WZPDCL networks require over 400 MW while today (Monday) it’s around 300 MW and it may drop further.
"We don’t have any scheduled load shedding, but disruption by Cyclonic wind in 11 kV feeder lines causes blackouts in many places,” he said.
Meanwhile, officials of both Dhaka Power Supply Company Limited (Desco) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) informed that they have no load shedding schedule in any area as electricity demand is much lower and there is no demand and supply gap.
“We’re now receiving 750 MW against the same demand while normally demand stays at 1050 MW in other days and we need to resort to about 300 MW load shedding,” said Md. Kausar Ameer Ali, managing director of Desco.
Cyclone Sitrang: Nothing much to worry, says State Minister Enamur
Bangladesh State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman on Monday (October 24, 2022) said there is nothing much to worry about the approaching cyclone Sitrang as it’s unlikely to be a super storm.
The state minister said this while talking to reporters at the Secretariat after a meeting of Inter-Ministerial Disaster Management Coordination Committee.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Flight operations at Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Barishal airports suspended
Cyclone Sitrang over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay is moving in a north-northwesterly direction and likely to intensify into a severe cyclone, he said.
Sitrang is likely to hit 13 coastal districts and the government has prepared 7,030 cyclone shelters for the people being evacuated, he added.
Enamur added that the Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard members will evacuate people from hard-to-reach areas as cyclone Sitrang is heading towards Bangladesh.
“We’ve requested the representatives of the armed forces and the Coast Guard to assist us in relocating people from danger zones to the safe cyclone shelters and they’ve agreed. The volunteers of the Fire Service and the Red Crescent are also working alongside volunteers of Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) to ensure safety to the affected people,” Enamur said.
Replying to a question, he said that Sitrang is a severe cyclonic storm and it is unlikely to turn into a very severe or super cyclone like Sidr in 2007.
“We’ve prepared a total of 7,030 cylcone shelters in 15 coastal districts where around 25 lakh people can be accommodated. In each of these districts, we’ve allocated Tk 5 lakh and supplied daily essentials like rice and lentil so that people can eat cooked food. Besides, dry foods like biscuits have also been made available so that people may not suffer from hunger,” Enamur said.
Asked when Sitrang will hit Bangladesh, the state minister said that the impact will be between 6:00am to 7:00am on Tuesday morning.
“The Met office has hoisted danger signal 7 in various coastal districts including Bagerhat, which may go up to signal 10. We’ll ensure the safety of people and their cattle, but we can’t assure that the agricultural and fisheries resources will remain unaffected,” Enamur added.
Cyclone Sitrang may cross Barishal-Chattogram coast near Khepupara by early morning Tuesday (October 25, 2022) and heavy rains would continue to lash the country under its impact, according to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Metrological Department.
Read Preparations taken to evacuate 3 lakh people in Bhola char areas
Cyclone Sitrang: PM Hasina monitoring situation, giving instructions
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is observing the Cyclone Sitrang situation round the clock and giving necessary instructions to government officials so that lives and properties can be protected.
“The Prime Minister is giving directives to ministries, directorates and other government offices round the clock,” PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim told UNB.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Loading, unloading suspended at Chittagong Port; Alert-3 issued
He said that the Prime Minister also taking all information from the field level.
“She also gave necessary instructions to Awami League leaders regarding this,” PM’s press secretary said.
He said that the PM is also communicating with local leaders, including MPs and other public representatives, of her party to gather information fast and has given necessary directives.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Everything you need to know
A monitoring cell, PM’s Disaster Management Coordination and Relief Monitoring Cell, has been opened in the Prime Minister’s Office, as per her instruction.
All are requested to communicate with the cell through its hotline numbers. These are: 01769010986, 02-55029550 and 02-58153022. The fax number is 02-9102469.
Cyclone Sitrang: Loading, unloading suspended at Chittagong Port; Alert-3 issued
The Chittagong Port authorities on Monday suspended loading and unloading of containers fearing possible damages due to the approaching cyclone Sitrang.
The authorities issued Alert No 3 for the port.
“All the ships of New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) have been sent to the outer anchorage. Besides, lighter vessels have also been removed from the channel and shifted to Shah Amanat Bridge area. Loading and unloading of goods and containers are currently suspended, while large ships have been sent to the deep sea” said Md Omar Faruq, Secretary of Chittagong Port Authority.
Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Everything you need to know
A control room has also been opened, he said.
The met office has hoisted cautionary signal no 6 in Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar ports and signal no 7 in Mongla and Payra ports.
The wind is blowing at a speed of 62kph within 54km of the cyclone center, which has the possibility of reaching 88kph when the cyclone reaches its peak.
Read Cyclone Sitrang: Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat
Cyclone Sitrang: Rain disrupts commute in Dhaka
Rain triggered by Cyclone Sitrang has been causing commute woes for Dhaka dwellers since this morning. Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded 28 mm rains in 9 hours till 12 pm.
People, especially office and school goers, struggled to reach their destinations amid the rain due to lack of public transport in the morning.
Read:Cyclone Sitrang: Flood protection embankment is at risk in Bagerhat