Deep depression in Bay of Bengal: Sandwip isolated, fear of tidal surge on the coast

Due to a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal, it has been raining intermittently in Chittagong since Thursday (May 29) morning. Concern is growing in coastal areas. Tidal water has broken through the embankment in Juidandi Union of Anwara Upazila of Chittagong, entering the locality. This has submerged houses and crop fields. On the other hand, roads have been submerged in some areas including Mekhal, Badamtal, Kamdar Ali and Chowdhuryhat in Hathazari Upazila, and communication systems have also been disrupted. Local residents have been suffering due to hilly slopes and continuous rainfall.

Due to the impact of the low pressure, Sandwip Upazila, surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in Chittagong, has been completely isolated. Due to the rough sea, the administration announced the closure of all vessels bound for Sandwip early on Thursday. As the sea water reached the embankment across the upazila, there has been anxiety among the coastal residents. Locals are preparing to move to safer places due to the potential disaster.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) Chittagong Deputy Director Md. Kamruzzaman said, “Shipping operations on the Sandwip route have been ordered to be suspended for the time being. The next decision will be announced after considering the weather conditions.”

The latest bulletin of the Meteorological Department said that the deep depression located in the northwest Bay of Bengal and its nearby areas is crossing the coast between Sagar Dwip in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh. It is likely to cross the coast by this evening and is likely to gradually weaken. However, due to the possibility of gusty or squally winds during this period, an alert has been issued in coastal areas.

The notification further said that due to the combined effect of the new moon and the low pressure, 16 coastal districts including Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barguna, Khulna, Satkhira, Sandwip and adjacent islands and chars may be inundated by a 2 to 4 foot high tidal wave. There is a risk of damage.

The maximum sustained wind speed within a 48 km radius of the deep depression center is 50 km per hour and gusts can reach 60 km per hour. The sea is very rough in the area near the depression center. The seaports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been asked to display local warning signal number three.