Taipei:Dhaka Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu is poised to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast of India tonight. The storm, currently positioned over the west-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining southwest Bay, has been tracking northwestwards.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported in a special bulletin that Cyclone Murasu was centered near latitude 14.0°N and longitude 81.8°E as of 6 am on Monday. The storm was approximately 1,440 km southwest of Chattogram, 1,400 km southwest of Cox's Bazar, 1,275 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,295 km southwest of Payra port.
The storm is expected to maintain its northwestward trajectory, making landfall as a Severe Cyclonic Storm. The maximum sustained wind speeds near the storm's center are about 89 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 117 kmph. The sea conditions near the storm's center are likely to be rough.
In anticipation of the storm, the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to keep distant warning signal No. 2 (R) 2 hoisted. Fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay have been urged to stay close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.