Bangladesh airport, seaport shut as cyclone Akash intensifies

As a strong cyclone, formed in the Bay of Bengal, has been heading towards Bangladesh coast, the authorities have suspended all operations at Shah Amanat International Airport and the Chittagong port, the main sea port of the country, on Monday.

Dhaka, May 14 : As a strong cyclone, formed in the Bay of Bengal, has been heading towards Bangladesh coast, the authorities have suspended all operations at Shah Amanat International Airport and the Chittagong port, the main sea port of the country, on Monday.

All scheduled fights to and from Shah Amanat International Airport were cancelled following the Meteorological office asking the authorities hoist danger signal number seven, as the cyclonic storm 'Akash' intensified towards Bangladesh.

The authorities also alerted all District administrations in the southern coastal areas and asked them to evacuate the people from their homes to safer places if necessary.

Dhaka Met office in its special bulletin said the cyclone was heading towards Bangladesh coast at a speed ranging between 62 to 88 kilometres per hour within its 54-kilometre radius.

The Storm Warning Centre said the cyclone moved into North Bay and was centred about 375 km south southwest of Cox's Bazar and 460 km south south-west of Chittagong Port at 3 pm on Monday

It is likely to intensify further, move towards north north-east and cross the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast on Tuesday morning.

The Chittagong Port Authorities have taken all preparation to protect the cargo vessels and all other assets. The disaster management department has also asked the authorities to take all possible preparation to tackle the situation.

"All precautionary measures have been taken... we alerted all concerned," Yahiya Sayeed, the CPA chairman, told the media.

According to port sources, cargo handling suspended from this afternoon.

About 20 ships, staying both at the port jetties and outer anchorage, were advised to take precautionary and safety measures.

Volunteers of the Red Crescent were also alerted and asked them to be prepared for evacuation at the coastal belt. As many as 40,000 volunteers have been kept ready for this purpose, the Red Crescent said. By Nazrul Islam

ANI