CHATTOGRAM, Nov 8, 2019 (BSS) – Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) suspended its all sorts of operation as the Met Office raised the danger signal no. 6 for the Chattogram port.
Loading and unloading of containers and delivery of consignment from vessels at inner berth of Chattogram Port have also been suspended this evening following the hoisting of danger signal no-6, CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk said.
Chattogram Port issued Red Alert-3 within the port areas including outer berth after cyclone preparedness meeting held at Bandar bhaban this evening, he added.
CPA also instructed the vessels to take shelter in Karnaphuli channel near the Shah Amanat Bridge and the bigger vessels in outer anchorage are being moved to Kutubdia channel and Cox’s Bazar coast.
An official of the Lighter ship owners association confirmed the news of suspending the delivery of consignment from mother vessels at outer at early 2.00 today.
All small vessels and boats have been asked to take shelter in a safer place immediately.
Vice president of Lighter Sramik Union Mohammad Nabi Alam told BSS that the unloading of consignment from vessels at outer berth going to be closed immediately and the lighter vessels in the Bay will take shelter in safer place in the karnaphuli channel.
The port official said that cargo handling in inner berth was continued till 4 pm and following the danger signal No. 6 the cargo handling in inner berths also suspended. The bigger vessels were also asked to keep engine start round-the-clock till further orders.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Under the influence of Cyclonic storm Bulbul, the activities of CPA have already stopped from 12 this noon, CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk said.
The vessels, anchored at the jetties, are being taken to the safer places especially in outer anchorage with a view to protecting the jetties from any impending destruction likely to be caused by the cyclone, he added.
According to the special weather bulletin of the met office, the severe cyclonic storm “bulbul” over west-central Bay and adjoining east-central bay moved northwards, intensified further and now lies over northwest bay and the adjoining west-central bay.