The depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression and is likely to turn into a cyclone soon, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). Once it develops into a cyclonic storm, it will be named ‘Maantha’—a Thai word meaning “fragrant flower” or “beautiful blossom.”
The weather office issued a special bulletin on Sunday (October 26) at 10 a.m. stating that the system was centered at 6 a.m. about 1,340 kilometers south of Chattogram, 1,270 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar, 1,300 kilometers south of Mongla, and 1,265 kilometers south of Payra seaports. It is expected to move northwestward and intensify further into a cyclonic storm.
Authorities have advised the seaports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to hoist distant cautionary signal number one. Meanwhile, all fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
Meteorologist Md Bazlur Rashid confirmed that the deep depression is almost certain to develop into a cyclone. “It is likely to make landfall along the coasts of Odisha or Andhra Pradesh in India,” he said.
According to forecasts, the system may turn into a cyclone by Monday and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Tuesday, potentially making landfall along India’s Odisha and Tamil Nadu coasts.
After crossing land, the cyclone may weaken and move northward through Bihar and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. As a result, rainfall is expected in various parts of the country from Wednesday onwards.
The BMD also predicted that rain may continue in parts of the northern Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions and the southern Khulna division until the end of the month.
