Dhaka: The very severe cyclonic storm ‘Fani’ over Northwest Bay and adjoining Westcentral Bay moved slightly northwards over the same area and likely to hit Bangladesh by this (Friday) evening.

It was centred 665 km southwest of Mongla port and 695 km southwest of Payra port at 3:00am, according to a Met office bulletin early Friday, the UNB reported.

It is likely to move in a North-Northeasterly direction further, cross Odisha coast of India by Friday afternoon and then moved in North-Northwesterly direction over Odisa-West Bengal coastal area and  likely to hit Khulna and adjoining southwestern part of Bangladesh by Friday evening.

Khulna and adjoining southwestern coastal areas will feel the peripheral effect of ‘Fani’ by Friday morning, the Met Office says, advising Mongla and Payra ports to display danger signal number seven.

Meanwhile, Indian media report cyclone Fani has started making its impact felt in the Odisha coast.

 The impact of the landfall is likely to continue till noon and after that, the cyclone is expected to move north-westwards and gradually weaken as it reaches West Bengal by early tomorrow morning, reports NDTV quoting their Met office.

The Odisha government has already evacuated lakhs of people from the coastal areas to camps on higher grounds.

The cyclonic storm was centred at 3:00am on Friday 850 km southwest of Chattogram port, 830 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar port.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kms of the storm centre is about 180 kph rising to 200 kph in gusts/squalls. Sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.

The maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 7.

Coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 7.

The maritime port of Chattogram has been advised to keep hoisted danger signal No 6.

This danger signal is also effective for the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal no six.

Meanwhile, the maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal No 4.

Under the influence of the very severe cyclonic stom ‘Fani’ and the new moon phase, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Chattogram, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola,Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands are likely to be inundated by 4-5 feet high storm surge above the normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts and their offshore islands and char areas are likely to experience wind speed up to 90-110 kmp in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the storm.

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

The government has taken all the necessary preparations to face the situation if the cyclone hits Bangladesh coastal areas, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman on Thursday.

All concerned have been directed to operate control rooms round the clock, evacuate people and take them to shelter centres immediately after issuance of ‘very danger’ signal (signal No 8), Enamur Rahman said.

Meanwhile, 4,071 cyclone centres in 19 coastal districts have been kept ready where solar system is available, the state minister said.

Besides, the National Disaster Response Coordination Centre (NDRRC) is providing updates. Control rooms have already been opened in Cyclone Preparedness Programme(CPP) headquarters and 19 coastal districts.

Two thousand packets of dry food, 200 tonnes of rice and cash amounting to Tk 5 lakh have been sent to the districts, he said.