Rough seas, rising tides in Cox’s Bazar as cyclone Remal approaches

Due to Cyclone Remal in the Bay of Bengal, the Meteorological Office has issued signal no 9 for Cox's Bazar and Chittagong seaports, and signal no 10 for Payra and Mongla seaports. 

As a result, the sea has become rough since Sunday morning.

The tide has risen two to three feet above normal, causing agitation. 

Tourists on the beach have been advised to stay safe, and bathing in the sea has been prohibited. 

Beach staff and lifeguards are actively making announcements and alerting visitors.

On the other hand, volunteers have been using loudspeakers to urge residents of vulnerable coastal and low-lying areas to move to cyclone shelters.

Since Saturday night, the wind speed in Cox's Bazar has increased. There has been light intermittent rain. Fishing trawlers in the sea have been advised to come ashore for safety.

The Cox's Bazar District Administration has made extensive preparations to combat Cyclone Remal.

An emergency meeting was held under the initiative of the Cox's Bazar District Disaster Management Committee. 

Cox's Bazar District Commissioner Mohammad Shahin Imran chaired the meeting in the Shahid Jafar Alam CSP Conference Room of the District Administrator’s office.

Cox's Bazar District Commissioner Mohammad Shahin Imran requested the hotel-motel zone extend support as needed during the disaster during an emergency meeting alongside the relevant authorities. 

The fire service has been directed to be ready for emergency rescue. 

Municipal authorities have been instructed to evacuate people from hazardous areas to prevent landslides and arrange food.

Cox's Bazar Police Superintendent Mahfuzul Islam informed that instructions have been given to make coastal fringe populations aware and to ensure their safety in shelters.

The meeting mentioned that 8,000 volunteers are working in the district for cyclone preparedness, with 1,300 volunteers in Cox's Bazar alone. 

Volunteers started campaigning immediately after receiving signal no  4. 

Additionally, 880 volunteers from the Red Crescent are ready. Each upazila has 50 workers ready.

The District Relief and Rehabilitation Office sources said that 638 cyclone shelters have been prepared to face Cyclone Remal. 

The District Administration reported storing 486 tons of rice, Tk2,75,000 in cash, a total of 23 bundles of tin sheds for horses and Tk69,000 approved for house construction. 

The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm Saturday night, with the name Remal.

The cyclone is predicted to make landfall on Sunday, affecting the coasts of Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal.

The Meteorological Department reported that the depression has been moving north and northeast at 15km per hour over the past six hours.

Gaining strength over the sea before hitting the coast between Khepupara, Bangladesh, and Sagar Island, West Bengal, it will hit with speeds of 110 to 120km per hour, with wind gusts reaching up to 135km per hour.