As Cyclone Sitrang approaches the Bangladesh coast, the weather department has asked Mongla and Payra seaports to hoist danger signal No. 7.
The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni and their offshore islands also came under danger signal No. 7.
Chattogram and Cox's Bazar ports have been advised to hoist danger signal No. 6.
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According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, 11 cyclone warning signals are used for seaports.
Here’s what the warning signals mean
Distant cautionary signal No. 1
There is a region of squally weather – wind speed of 61 kilometres per hour – in the distant sea where a storm may form.
Distant warning signal No. 2
A storm – wind speed of 62-88 kilometres per hour – has formed in the distant deep sea; ships may fall into danger if they leave the harbour.
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Local cautionary signal No. 3
The port is threatened by squally weather – wind speed of 40-50 kilometres per hour.
Local warning signal No. 4
The port is threatened by a storm – wind speed of 51-61 kilometres per hour – but it does not appear that the danger is serious enough to justify extreme precautionary measures.
Danger signal No. 5
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of slight or moderate intensity – wind speed of 62-88 kilometres per hour – that is expected to cross the coast to the south of Chattogram port or Cox's Bazar port and east of Mongla port.
Danger signal No. 6
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of slight or moderate intensity – wind speed of 62-88 kilometres per hour – that is expected to cross the coast to the north of Chattogram port or Cox's Bazar port and west of Mongla port.
Danger signal No. 7
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of light or moderate intensity – wind speed of 62-88 kilometres per hour – that is expected to cross over or near the port.
Great danger signal No. 8
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity – wind speed of 89 kilometres per hour or more – that is expected to cross the coast to the south of Chattogram port or Cox's Bazar port and to the east of Mongla port.
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Great danger signal No. 9
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity – wind speed of 89 kilometres per hour or more – that is expected to cross the coast to the north or Chattagram port or Cox's Bazar and to the west of Mongla port.
Great danger signal No. 10
The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity – wind speed of 89 kilometres per hour or more – that is expected to cross over or near the port.
Failure of communication No. 11
Communications with the Storm Warning Centre have broken down and local officers consider that a devastating cyclone is following.
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