Our Correspondent
DHAKA: The chief adviser’s office will remain open on holidays – today (May Day) and tomorrow – as several officials and employees have been assigned to monitor the situation over cyclone Nargis.
An order to this effect was issued yesterday, allocating roster duties from 9am to 12 noon and from 4pm to 7pm, according to an official of the chief adviser’s office.
The chief adviser’s Office has also alerted the coastal district authorities to put on alert people living in vulnerable areas.
The steps were taken as severe cyclonic storm Nargis over west-central and adjoining east-central Bay continued packing in intensity and moved north-northeastwards.
The tropical storm was centred about 1,020km southwest of Chittagong Port, 955km southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port and 900km south-southwest of Mongla Port at 12 noon yesterday, said the storm warning centre.
“The storm is likely to intensify further and move in north-northeasterly direction,” said the latest forecast.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 64km of the storm centre is about 90kph, rising up to 115kph in gusts or squalls. “Sea will remain very rough over North Bay and high near the cyclone.”
Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal number two.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay of Bengal have been advised to remain close to the coast and “proceed with caution until further notice”.
They have also been advised not to venture into the deep sea because of the brewing tempest.