The gusty winds and heavy rains in the coastal districts of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, triggered by the landfall of powerful severe cyclonic storm ‘Mora’ early Tuesday, are likely to continue for 12 hours though the cyclone has weakened.

Shamsuddin Ahmed, a director at the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, in a briefing said the inclement weather caused by the cyclone, which is likely to advance further north and turn into a depression, will improve gradually after 12 hours.

Though the cyclone whipped gusts and torrential rains, there is no report of any casualty so far in the affected coastal areas.

Mazharul Islam, the duty officer at Patenga Met office, said the cyclone has weakened. ‘Still, it might cause heavy rains and hill collapse.’

Earlier, the storm made a landfall around 6:00am packing a speed of 89 Kph rising up to 117 Kph in gusts or squalls in Cox’s Bazar district town and within 64 Kms of the cyclone centre.

It later moved towards Chittagong around 7:30am and crossed the coastal areas around 10:30am.

A K M Nazmul Haq, a meteorologist stationed in Cox’s Bazar, said the cyclonic storm hit St Martin’s Island, the only coral island of the country, at midnight.

Mujibul Haq, president of St Martin’s Island Union unit of Awami League, said, ‘The Island has been hit hard by the storm, damaging many houses and uprooting a large number of trees.

St Martin’s Island Union Chairman Nur Ahmad said about 50-60 per cent of mud houses, including his semi-pucca house, in the area were demolished by the storm.

 According to the latest special bulletin issued by Bangladesh Met Office, the storm is likely to move in a northerly direction further.

The maritime ports of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal No 10. The coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 10.

Maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal No 8.

The coastal districts of Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars will come under danger signal No 8.

Under the influence of ‘Mora’, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by storm surge of 4-5 feet height above the normal astronomical tide.

The coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna, Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to experience wind speed up to 89-117 kph in gusts/ squalls with heavy to very heavy falls during the passage of the severe cyclonic storm.

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

 Meanwhile, several lakhs of people of coastal areas took shelter in cyclone centers.

In Chittagong, a total of 12 vessels, including 10 war vessels, have been removed from Chittagong Naval area.

All the classes and examinations of Chittagong University scheduled to be held on Tuesday have been suspended due to the severe cyclonic storm, said Professor Dr Kamrul Huda, acting registrar of the University, adding that they have taken the decision to ensure  the safety of students.

Ayesha Khatun, assistant commissioner of Chittagong district administration and also assistant commissioner (land), said several hundred families have been shifted from Lalkhan Bazar Motijharna areas.

In Lakshmipur, around 500 people have taken shelter in cyclone centres, said deputy commissioner of the district Humaira Begum.

A total of 65 medical teams, led by district civil surgeon, have been formed to tackle the cyclone aftermath, while the leave of government officials and staff has been cancelled until further notice.

A control room has been opened in the district for round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.

Meanwhile, all the flight operations, suspended following the bad weather, will resume at Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong after 2:00pm, said airport manager wing commander Mohammad Reazul Kabir.