Depression over bay turns into deep depression, cautionary signal hoisted

The depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) said in a special weather bulletin issued Thursday morning.

According to the bulletin, the system over the west-central Bay and adjoining areas moved northwestwards and became a deep depression over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal.

At 6 am, it was located about 875 km southwest of Chattogram seaport, 830 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 735 km southwest of Mongla, and 740 km southwest of Payra seaport. Within 48 km of its center, the maximum sustained wind speed was 50 km per hour, rising to 60 km per hour in gusts or squalls.

The Met Office said the system may continue to move north-northwestwards.

The sea remains rough near the deep depression center, and under its influence, squally weather is likely to affect the North Bay, coastal areas of Bangladesh, and maritime ports.

Authorities have advised Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no. 3.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice, so they can return to shore quickly if required.

The system formed as a low-pressure area on Wednesday, which turned into a depression the same night and further intensified into a deep depression on Thursday.

Due to its impact, rain has been occurring in Dhaka and other parts of the country, with cloudy skies persisting over the capital since Thursday morning.

Earlier, in Wednesday night’s weather bulletin, the Met Office forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most places in Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions over the next 24 hours. Heavy to very heavy rainfall may also occur at isolated places across the country.

As a result, daytime temperatures may fall by 2°C while nighttime temperatures could drop slightly.