Cyclone Arnab Becomes Extremely Severe, Ports Hoist Signal 3

Extremely severe cyclonic storm Arnab has intensified over the Bay of Bengal, prompting authorities to ask the country’s four seaports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra—to maintain local warning Signal No. 3.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department issued the update in a special bulletin early Tuesday.

According to the bulletin, the storm was centred at 3am on Tuesday at 15.8 degrees north latitude and 85.6 degrees east longitude over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas.

At the time, it was located 990 kilometres southwest of Chattogram port, 945 kilometres southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 865 kilometres south of Mongla port and 865 kilometres south of Payra port.

The cyclone is moving westward and northwestward and may cross the coast of India’s Andhra Pradesh state on October 28.

The storm’s centre was sustaining maximum wind speeds of 118 kilometres per hour within a radius of 64 kilometres. Gusts and squalls could raise wind speeds to as high as 150 kilometres per hour, the bulletin said.

The sea remains very rough near the cyclone’s centre.

Meanwhile, 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.