The exposed stretch of coastline was being battered by heavy rains as cyclone 'Aila', packing winds up to 100 kph, started crossing West Bengal-Khulna coasts near Sagar Island in West Bengal at around 2pm.

It flooded villages and forcing thousands of people from their homes, officials said. Heavy rains triggered by the cyclone raised river levels and burst mud embankments, flooding homes.

At least 20 passengers went missing when three trawlers sank in Meghna estuary at Monpura in Bhola.

It is the second storm in the Bay of Bengal in less than one month. Several people were killed and hundreds of thatched houses destroyed in Cox's Bazar on April 17.

'Aila' was centred at 12pm about 430 km southwest of Chittagong port, 420 km southwest of Cox's Bazaar port and 230 km southsouthwest of Mongla port, said a special weather bulletin of the Meteorological Department.

It is likely to move in a northerly direction and its peripheral gusty to squally winds are already affecting the coastal districts.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 km of the storm centre is about 70 kph rising to 90 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough, the bulletin said.

Maritime port of Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven.

The coastal districts of Bhola, Barisal, Patuakhali, Borguna, Pirozpur, Jhalokathhi, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira, Jessore and their offshore islands and chars will be under danger signal number seven.

Maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox's Bazaar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazaar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Feni, laxmipur, Comilla, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will be under danger signal number six.

Under the influence of the storm, the coastal districts of Khulna, Bagerhat, Borguna, Satkhira, Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola, pirozpur, Jhalokathhi, Laxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazaar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by squally winds of speed up to 90 kph with the passage of the storm.

The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Khulna, Bagerhat, Borguna, Satkhira, Barisal, Patuakhali, Bhola, Pirozpur, Jhalokathhi, Laxmipur, Noakhali, Feni, Chandpur, Chittagong, Cox's Bazaar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of height 06-08 feet above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

River traffic halted

The weather has forced suspension of ferry movement on all rivers routes. Fishermen have come back from the sea because of high tide.

Noakhali

A woman, Nazma, 30, was swept aside as low-lying areas of Nijhum Island went six to seven feet under water due to hide tide at in Noakhali.

Noakhali was experiencing sporadic rains under the influence of Aila since Monday morning.

At least 30-35 houses were inundated after water began entering many areas of the island from 10am.

Jahajmara range official Hafizuddin said many deer were likely to be swept by the sea as water level rose than the normal level.

Bagerhat

The low-lying areas, including shrimp enclosures, went four to five feet under water in high tide in Bagerhat.

Bagerhat deputy commissioner Moazzem Hossain told bdnews24.com that Jaimonir Ghol, Chila of Mongla, Malliker Ber, Banshtoli and Madardia Bazar of Rampal, Rayenda Bazar and Morelganj of Sharankhola went three to four feet under water.

Authorities opened 10 control rooms and 219 cyclone shelters at all upazilas and district sadar.

The affected people of the inundated areas have been herded into cyclone shelters.

Patuakhali

Five villages went under water as dam of Khajura point in Kuakata collapsed leaving thousands of families stranded.

Hundreds of houses and trees were damaged in the rain and squally wind that occurred from Sunday night.


Source: bdnews24