“‘Amphan’ may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram during Tuesday late night or Wednesday afternoon or evening,” the Met Office said in a special bulletin.

It was centred at about 1,020km Southwest of Chattogram Port, 960km Southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 920km South-Southwest of Mongla Port and 910km South-Southwest of Payra Port, according to Marine Bulletin of 9pm.
The wind speed at the cyclone’s centre was about 225kph rising to 245kph in gusts or squalls.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal 7. Meanwhile, maritime ports of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar were told to hoist danger signal 6.

Coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal 7.

Meanwhile, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal 6.
 
Tidal surge

Majority of the coastal districts are likely to be battered by wind blowing at speed of up to 140-160kph in gusts or squalls with heavy to very heavy rainfall during the passage of the storm. 

Under the influence of ‘Amphan’ and the new moon phase, low-lying areas of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalakathi, Pirozpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to take shelter immediately and to remain in shelter until further notice.

Also read: 12,078 shelter centres ready in coastal areas

‘Govt prepared’

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman said the government has taken necessary preparations to face the super cyclone.

He said 12,078 shelters have been kept ready in 19 coastal districts.

‘Amphan’ will be the first super-cyclonic storm to hit the region for more than 20 years. In 1999, a super-cyclone hit the coast of Odisha, killing more than 9,000 people in India, according to The Guardian.
 
The super cylone is expected to cause heavy rains and possible flooding in Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camps, home to more than a million Rohingyas.
 
Double trouble

‘Amphan’ will pose a ‘dual challenge’ to Bangladesh as the country grapples to contain the spread of highly contagious coronavirus.

It will be hard to maintain physical distance from each other at the shelters and if there is any asymptomatic patient, the situation will be disastrous.