Dhaka: The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to lower distant cautionary signal No 1 and instead hoist distant warning signal No 2 as deep depression over the West-central Bay and adjoining East-central Bay intensified into a cyclonic storm, ‘Titli’, over the same area, reports the UNB.

It storm was centring at 3 pm on Tuesday about 970 kms southwest of Chattogram port, 915 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 870 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 860 kms south-southwest of Payra port, said a Met office special bulletin.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northwesterly direction, the bulletin said.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclonic centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts/squalls, it said.

Sea will remain very rough near the cyclonic centre.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.