Maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower local cautionary signal number 3 and hoist signal number 4 instead as the deep depression over Bay intensified into cyclonic storm Sitrang. According to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the deep depression over the east-central Bay and adjoining areas moved north-westwards and intensified into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay. Read: Cyclone Sitrang: Shelter centres prepared in coastal districts ahead of landfall It was centered at 6pm on Sunday about 770 km southwest of Chattogram port, 710 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 710 km south-southwest of Mongla port, and 675 km south-southwest of Payra port. Sea will remain very rough near the eye of the cyclone. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh are likely to experience gusty or squally winds of 40-50 kph in addition to heavy to very heavy rainfall. Read: ‘Sitrang’ may hit a 730 km area in Bangladesh on Oct 25: State Minister Under the influence of deep depression, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of coastal Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar districts and their offshore islands and char area likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 5-7 feet above the normal astronomical tide.