Dhaka: The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal No 2 as cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ over the West Central Bay and adjoining Southwest Bay moved northwestwards and intensified further over the same area.

It was centring at 6:00am Wednesday about 1275 kms southwest of Chattogram Port, 1,225 kms southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1150 km southwest of Mongla port and 1150 km southwest of Payra Port, said a Met office special bulletin, reports the UNB.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north/northwesterly direction.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kms of the storm centre is about 160 kph rising to 180 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea 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.