Rough weather in coast may continue

Dhaka, June 18 (bdnews24.com) ? The wind-driven surge in the coastal areas may continue for another one or two days, the Meteorological Department has said.

Severe rain in the coastal districts over the last few days caused flooding in many areas, cutting off communications.

On Saturday, the highest rainfall was recorded in Maizdicourt of Noakhali, 66mm until 12pm. It was 58 mm in Cox's Bazar, 56 in Chandpur, 51 in Patuakhali, 35 in Barisal, nine in Feni, 45 in Khepupara, 10 in Sandwip, seven in Satkhira and three in Khulna.

As of Friday, heavy rain and rising tides had brought down embankments in Barguna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali and threatened to breach embankments in other coastal districts.

Special bulletin from the Met department on Saturday said the land depression over West Bengal and adjoining south-western part of Bangladesh remained practically stationary and it could stay over the same area for the day.

Under its influence, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, Laxmipur, Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Borguna, Chandpur, Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by a wind driven surge of 2-4 feet above normal astronomical tide and it could continue for next one or two days, according to the bulletin.

The depression was likely to move in a north-northwesterly direction further in land and weaken gradually by giving precipitation, it forecast.

Under its influence, steep pressure gradient would persist over the north bay. Squally weather may continue over the maritime ports and coastal areas of Bangladesh and the sea would remain rough, the bulletin said.

Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla were advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three (r) three.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay were advised to remain in shelter until further notice.

bdnews24.com/sh/nir/2220h

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