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Cyclone Arnab has formed over the Bay of Bengal as a deep depression intensified, prompting the Bangladesh Meteorological Department to raise the warning signal at the country’s four seaports to No. 2.
The cyclone is expected to intensify further and may cross the coast of India’s Andhra Pradesh around Wednesday (October 28).
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department confirmed the development in its Special Weather Bulletin No. 6 issued on Monday (October 26).
According to the bulletin, the deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestward and intensified into Cyclone Arnab. It is currently positioned over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.
At 6am on Monday, the cyclone was located 820 kilometres southwest of Chattogram port, 745 kilometres southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 785 kilometres south of Mongla port and 745 kilometres south of Payra port.
The meteorological department said the cyclone could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Monday midnight as it moves west-northwestward. It may then move northwestward and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast as a very severe cyclonic storm on October 28.
Sustained winds near the centre of the cyclone are reaching a maximum speed of 62 kilometres per hour, with gusts or squalls reaching up to 88 kilometres per hour. The sea remains very rough near the cyclone’s centre, the bulletin said.
In response to the developing situation, the department has asked Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports to lower Signal No. 1 and hoist distant warning Signal No. 2.
Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay of Bengal have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
The cyclone was named Arnab by the ESCAP/WMO Panel on Tropical Cyclones, which coordinates storm names for the region. Bangladesh is among the 13 countries that contribute names to the list.