United News of Bangladesh

Flight operations at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram have been temporarily suspended from 12 pm today, due to Cyclone Remal. The decision comes in response to the issuance of danger signal no. 9 by the Meteorological Department, prompting authorities to prioritize the safety of passengers and personnel. Initially, the suspension will last from 12 noon to 8 pm, as announced by the airport authorities. Cyclone Remal: Biman suspends all Cox's Bazar bound flights Sunday Chattogram Airport Director, Group Captain Taslim Ahmed, said that the necessary actions have been undertaken to mitigate potential damages caused by the cyclone. Authorities are on alert, he added. Earlier, flight operations at Kolkata and Cox's Bazar airports were suspended. 

In response to the impending threat posed by Cyclone Remal, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) has taken extensive measures to minimize potential damage, issuing its own alert at level-4. In preparation, the CPA has opened four control rooms to manage the situation effectively. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has instructed Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar to hoist great danger signal no. 9, indicating the cyclone’s severity. Following this alert, all cargo operations at the port’s jetties and outer anchorage have been suspended. Ships currently loading or unloading have been instructed to expedite their processes. From Sunday morning, efforts have been underway to secure the port channel, ships, jetties, yards, sheds, and handling equipment. All lighter vessels in the outer anchorage have been moved upstream in the Karnaphuli River for safety. “With the issuance of Signal 9, we have also declared Alert Level 4 at the port,” CPA Secretary Md. Omar Faruk said. “Normally, we issue such alerts when signals are at six or above. All ships at the jetties have been sent to sea, ensuring the jetties are free of vessels. Loading and unloading activities at the jetties have been halted. Container movements from the yards are ongoing for now. We have directed that the jetty area be cleared immediately upon receiving any indication of impact.” He added that all mother vessels from the outer anchorage are being sent to deeper sea areas, and the focus is now on securing the port’s equipment. “All ship movements have been completely halted,” Faruk emphasized. Meanwhile, the Chattogram district administration has been making public announcements in the hilly and coastal areas since last evening, urging residents to seek safe shelter. Special announcements are being made in the city's Bayezid, Batali Hill, Lalkhan Bazar, and Soloshahar areas, advising people living at the base of hills to evacuate immediately. The district administration has prepared 785 shelters to accommodate those in need.

As the cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ approaches with high speed, tension has gripped the residents of the country’s southern and southeastern coastal areas, which are the most vulnerable to such natural disasters. In Shyamnagar upazila of Satkhira, many people were seen voluntarily repairing weak embankments overnight. Cyclone centers in Khulna and Satkhira districts are already filling up with people seeking safety. On Sunday night, after a danger signal number 7 was issued at Mongla Port, panic spread across Khulna, Bagerhat, and Satkhira. In response, awareness campaigns using loudspeakers were initiated to inform residents about Cyclone Remal and urge them to move to shelters. The district and upazila administrations have made extensive preparations to tackle the cyclone. However, many embankments in the southern coastal areas remain weak. The Water Development Board reports that out of 630 kms of embankments in Khulna’s Dakop, Batiaghata, Paikgasa, and Koyra, 10 kms are considered vulnerable. In Satkhira, 30 kms out of 380 kms of embankments are at risk. The coastal areas of Khulna and Satkhira have a history of being battered by cyclones. Cyclone Aila struck on May 25, 2009, followed by Mahasen on May 16, 2013, Komen on July 30, 2015, Roanu on May 21, 2016, Mora on May 30, 2017, Fani on May 4, 2019, Bulbul on November 10, 2019, Amphan on May 20, 2020, Yaas on May 26, 2021, Asani on May 12, 2022, Sitrang on October 25, 2022, and most recently Cyclone Mocha. Each of these cyclones has caused significant damage, breaking embankments and flooding areas like Koyra, Dakop, Assasuni, and Shyamnagar, leaving lasting scars. In Shyamnagar’s Gabura union, water is seeping through several parts of the embankment. Residents of Subhadrakati worked through the night to repair a dilapidated embankment using geo-bags provided by the Water Development Board. This fear has kept people in Khulna’s Koyra, Dakop, Paikgasa, and Satkhira’s Shyamnagar, Assasuni, and the coastal areas of Bagerhat awake through the night. Residents Akhtaruzzaman and Billal Hossain of Gobra village in Koyra, who live near the embankment, recounted how their homes were washed away during Cyclone Aila when the Ghatakhali embankment broke. They spent almost two months in shelters before building makeshift homes on the embankment itself. Even 15 years later, they have not been able to return to their original homes and are now in fear due to Cyclone Remal. Koyra’s Dakshin Bedkashi Union Parishad Chairman Md. Aser Ali Moral noted that the areas from Ghorilal to Charamukha Ferry Ghat and from the ferry ghat to Haldibunia are particularly vulnerable. Shaheen Alam, a resident of Shyamnagar in Satkhira, stated that most embankments in his union are in poor condition, with one collapsing just a few days ago, causing significant anxiety among the locals. Md. Salauddin, Executive Engineer of Water Development Board-1 in Satkhira, confirmed that while 30 kms of embankments are at risk, a mega project is underway in Gabura, and they are prepared to address any immediate issues. Md. Ashraful Alam, Executive Engineer of Khulna Water Development Board (Division-2), stated that out of 630 kms of embankments in his area, 10 kms are vulnerable, and they are ready to take emergency measures if needed. Khulna District Commissioner Khandaker Yasir Arefin informed UNB that 604 cyclone shelters have been readied, capable of accommodating 315,180 people. Additionally, three Mujib Killas can shelter 430 people and 560 livestock. A total of 5,280 volunteers are prepared to assist in Koyra, Dakop, and Paikgasa upazilas.

A statue made of touchstone, weighing 34 kg, was recovered from a pond while workers were digging in it at Thakurgaon Sadar upazila yesterday. The workers said they spotted the statue while digging at a pond in Bohupukur area of Paschim Begunbari Rajapukur Bazar under Begunbari union yesterday noon. Later, a businessman named Yeasin Ali took the statue from the workers and informed the local police station. Local UP Chairman Boni Amin said the statue weighed 33.80 kg. Sadar police station’s Officer-in-Charge ABM Firoz Wahid said on information they recovered the statue and kept it under their custody.

The cyclonic storm Remal over northwest Bay and adjoining area moved northwards over the same area, according to a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). It is about 405 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 355 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar, 340 kms south of Mongla port and 300 kms south of Payra port. It is likely to intensify further and move northwards, said the bulletin issued at 12 am last night signed by Kh. Hafizur Rahman, a meteorologist at BMD. Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre, it reads. Maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number seven (r) seven. Maritime ports of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal number six (r) six. Under the peripheral effect of the cyclonic storm, heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy (289 mm) rainfall with gusty or squally wind persists over north Bay, islands, chars and coastal areas of Bangladesh, according to the bulletin. Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokhati, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, and islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 3-5 feet height above normal tide, it reads. Under the influence of the cyclone, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice, it added.

In preparation for Cyclone Remal, 500 shelters and 290 medical teams have been kept prepared in Chattogram, said the District Disaster Management Committee. The decision to keep those shelters and teams prepared was made at an emergency meeting of the committee held last night. Furthermore, the Fire Service and Civil Defense has canceled the leave of all officials and employees from nine stations, mobilizing 270 personnel for immediate response. A special control room has also been formed at Agrabad Fire Service Station in the port city. Rakib Hasan, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) of Chattogram district administration, informed that around 500 shelters were being prepared, 290 medical teams were formed, and all executive officers and local union chairpersons and members in the coastal areas of Chattogram were on high alert. Read more: Cyclone Remal moves northwards over Bay According to the Civil Surgeon’s Office, a medical team has been assigned to each union, five teams to each upazila health complex, and five teams are on standby at Chattogram General Hospital. Dr. Md. Elias Chowdhury, district Civil Surgeon, said that 200 teams at the union level, 75 teams across 15 upazila health complexes, nine teams at urban dispensaries, one team for school health, and five teams at the general hospital were formed to face the impact of the cyclonic storm. Moreover, all doctors, officers, and employees under the Civil Surgeon’s Office have been instructed to remain at their posts while an emergency control room has also been opened, he said. Dinmoni Sharma, Deputy Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defense, informed that the fire service has started operations in various coastal areas. Read more: Cyclone Remal: Biman suspends all Cox's Bazar bound flights Sunday Announcements are being made through loudspeakers urging residents to move to safe locations before the storm hits. Operations in the city will commence based on weather conditions, he said, adding that 270 fire personnel across nine stations are prepared, with all leaves canceled. The deep depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm Saturday night, with the name 'Remal.' The cyclone is predicted to make landfall today, affecting the coasts of Bangladesh and India’s West Bengal. The Meteorological Department reported that the depression has been moving north and northeast at 15 kilometers per hour over the past six hours. Gaining strength over the sea before hitting the coast between Khepupara, Bangladesh, and Sagar Island, West Bengal, it will hit with speeds of 110 to 120 kilometers per hour, with wind gusts reaching up to 135 kilometers per hour. Read more: Cyclone Preparedness: Safety measures to follow before, during and after disaster

National carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Cox's Bazar for Sunday (May 26, 2024) due to Cyclonic storm Remal. Besides, flights of BG395 and BG391 to Kolkata will remain suspended on Sunday and Monday, respectively, said Bosra Islam, general manager of the Public Relations Wing of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. Cyclone Remal: Chittagong Port Authority issues alert 3 Earlier, Bangladesh Meteorological Department asked the Payra and Mongla maritime ports to hoist danger Signal 7 and danger Signal 6 for Cox's Bazar and Chattogram seaports. According to the BMD, the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay moved northwards, and intensified into a cyclonic storm "Remal" over northwest Bay and adjoining area on Saturday evening. Depression intensifies into cyclone:  Remal now on its way

The Shipping Ministry suspended launch services on all routes from 10pm on Sunday as the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay intensified into Cyclone Remal. All launches of inland waterways from Dhaka River Ports will remain suspended until further notice, said Md. Jahangir Alam Khan, senior information officer of the ministry. Depression intensifies into cyclone:  Remal now on its way Earlier, the Met Office asked the Payra and Mongla maritime ports to hoist danger Signal 7 and danger Signal 6 for Cox's Bazar and Chattogram seaports. Besides, the deep depression over east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay moved northwards, and intensified into a cyclonic storm "Remal" over northwest Bay and adjoining area on Saturday evening, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD). State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Mohibur Rahman on Saturday said cyclonic storm 'Remal' is projected to make landfall in the coastal regions of Satkhira in Khulna and Cox’s Bazar in Chattogram by Sunday evening. Cyclone Remal: Chittagong Port Authority issues alert 3 Almost 4,000 shelter centres have been prepared in the coastal districts, equipped with adequate dry food, he said while speaking at a press briefing held at the Secretariat.

Dhaka city dwellers have faced immense suffering due to the suspension of metro rail service on Saturday evening. The operation came to a halt at 6:45pm due to the electric glitch, DMTCL Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf told the media. 'Underage’ driver behind the wheel: Bus hits Metro Rail pillar in Dhaka's Agargaon "Considering the safety of the passengers the metro rail movement was suspended" he said. However, we managed to resume the service at 8:20pm, he added.

The deep depression over east-central Bay adjoining west-central Bay moved northwards, and intensified into cyclonic storm "Remal" over northwest Bay and adjoining area on Saturday evening, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).   It was centred at 6pm on Saturday about 455 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 400 kms southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 405 kms south of Mongla port and 365 kms south of Payra port. It is likely to intensify further and move northwards, said a special bulletin of the BMD signed by Dr. Muhammad Abdul Kalam Mallik, a meteorologist of the organization. Fire Service ready to take on Cyclone Remal Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph-in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre. Maritime ports of Payra and Mongla have been advised to lower local cautionary signal number three but instead of hoist danger signal, no. Seven (R) seven, it reads. Maritime ports of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to lower local cautionary signal no. three but instead of hoist danger signal no. Six (r) six. Cyclonic storm ‘Remal’ likely to hit coastal areas by Sunday evening: State Minister Under the peripheral effect of the cyclonic storm, heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy (289mm) rainfall with gusty or squally wind persists over north Bay, their offshore islands, chars and coastal areas of Bangladesh, according to it. Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalokhati, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barishal, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Cumilla, Chattogram, Cox's bazar, and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind driven surge of 3-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide. Under the influence of the cyclone Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions are likely to get heavy (34-88 mm) to very heavy rainfall (289 mm) with gusty or squally wind all fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice, it added.