After being closed for 24 hours due to the threat of Cyclone Hamoon, Chattogram Port resumed operations this morning.
In anticipation of the impact of Cyclone Hamoon, the port had suspended its activities on Tuesday morning.
Following the all-clear, cargo loading and unloading at the jetty has resumed. However, due to the rough sea conditions, there are disruptions in the movement of lighterage vessels, causing delays in cargo handling at the outer anchorage area, according to port authorities.
Cyclone Hamoon: Maritime ports asked to lower cautionary signal
Chattogram Port Secretary Omar Faruq stated, "As of Wednesday morning, from 10 am, both the jetty and the yard have returned to normal operations. Out of our total of 22 ships, 13 have already returned. The remaining vessels will come back as soon as the weather permits. At this moment, there are no issues at the port, and cargo transportation at the jetty and yard is proceeding as usual."
On Tuesday evening, Cyclone Hamoon began to affect the coastal areas of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar, causing heavy rainfall and strong winds. The storm later weakened.
In the latest weather bulletin this morning, the Met Office assured there was no longer the possibility of cyclonic winds in the seaports, the northern Bay of Bengal, and the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Still, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports were advised to remain cautious.
All fishing trawlers were permitted to operate safely until this evening in the northern Bay of Bengal and the adjacent areas.
Cyclone Hamoon weakens, maritime ports asked to hoist local cautionary signal 3
The Water Transport Coordination Cell (WTCC) stated that lighterage vessels were unable to enter Chattogram Port due to the rough sea conditions. Mahbub Rashid, the chief executive of the Lighterage Control Authority, explained, "Outer vessels, including mother vessels, are safely positioned outside. Although these vessels have returned, lighter vessels cannot be sent out to the outer anchorage. The sea is very rough. We hope the situation will return to normal by the evening."
Cyclone Hamoon: Ctg port authority issues ‘Alert No 3’; relocates 22 ships