A deep depression over the East Central Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a cyclonic storm named "Dana" as of 6:00 am today, according to a special weather bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Wednesday morning.

The storm was centered near latitude 16.0°N and longitude 90.0°E, approximately 695 kilometers west-southwest of Chatrtogram port, 620 kilometers west-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 695 kilometers south-southeast of Mongla port, and 645 kilometers south-southeast of Payra port, it said,

Cyclonic storm nears as deep depression intensifies over Bay: BMD

The cyclone is expected to move in a west-northwest direction and may intensify further. Current forecasts suggest maximum sustained wind speeds of around 62 kilometers per hour, with gusts and squalls potentially reaching up to 88 kilometers per hour.

Sea conditions are expected to remain very rough near the cyclone's centre, the bulletin said.

Maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist cautionary signal-2.

All fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay and deep sea have been instructed to remain close to the coast and exercise extreme caution until further notice, it added.