Weakening cyclone ‘Bulbul’ turns into depression

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DHAKA, Nov 10, 2019 (BSS) – Cyclonic storm “Bulbul,” which was expected to
cause extensive damage in coastlines of Bangladesh, weakened into a deep
depression today bringing much-needed relief to people, as its effect may not
be as lethal as feared.

“Cyclone ‘Bulbul’ is gradually becoming weak as it has made landfall
causing heavy rainfall in the coastal districts… Now the tropical cyclone
has turned into deep depression,” Ruhul Quddus, a meteorologist of Met
Office, told BSS today.

The cyclone “Bulbul” is now lying on southern region in the country
particularly in Bhola, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi,
he said adding, “Under the influences of the cyclone, these coastal districts
are witnessing heavy rainfall and we are predicting that weather may be
normal in the southern parts of Bangladesh. ”

But in the Chattogram region, the weather condition will take one or more
day to become normal, the meteorologists added.

As the cyclone has turned into a depression, it continues weakening by
causing heavy downpour, he further predicted.

The deep depression over Bagerhat, Barishal and Patuakhali regions moved
slightly east-northeastwards and lies over Barishal, Patuakhali and Bhola
regions at 3 pm today, a weather bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological
Department (BMD) said.

It is likely to move in a northeasterly direction further and weaken
gradually by giving precipitation. Under its influence steep pressure
gradient persists over north bay and southern part of Bangladesh.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar Mongla, and Payra have been
advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal number three (r) three.

Under the influence of the deep depression, Khulna, Satkhira, Chattogram,
Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola,
Pirozpur, Jhalokathi, Bagerhat, Faridpur, Madaripur and Cumilla are likely to
experience wind of 50-60 kph in gusts/squalls with heavy to very heavy falls
during the passage of the deep depression.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay have been advised to remain
in shelter till tomorrow morning, the bulletin added.

“Four people were killed in different coastal districts as cyclone ‘Bulbul’
lashed Bangladesh coastlines early today,” Secretary of the Relief and
Disaster Management Ministry Md Shah Kamal told BSS.

Among the victims, two people were killed in Khulna, one in Patuakhali and
one in Bagerhat, he added.

The cyclonic storm triggered landfall, rainfalls and tree falls and
damaged houses and infrastructures in the coastal regions, prompting the
authorities to advise people in vulnerable areas to stay indoors.

The loss of human lives could be prevented due to the preparedness and
evacuation of people along with their valuables, including cattle, said
disaster management officials.

The authorities took adequate contingency measures to deal with possible
destruction in the coastal areas.

“As part of the immediate response for the first time in the country’s
history more than 21.6 lakh people were successfully evacuated and moved to
5,587 cyclone shelters in coastal districts as the cyclone hit the region,”
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman told at
a press briefing here today.

“Around four to five thousand houses were damaged partially and completely
as “Bulbul” lashed the country’s coastlines early today,” he said.

Disaster management secretary said they initially planned to move 14 lakh
people to 5,000 cyclone shelters but by midnight yesterday the figure rose to
over 21 lakh.

“As the cyclone has lost its strength while crossing Bangladesh
coastlines… Now, it is gradually weakening causing heavy rainfall. People,
who took shelters at cyclone centers and other safer places, now are
returning home as there is no possibility of any disaster caused by the
cyclone.

“Much of its intensity was lost largely by the time it reached Bangladesh
after ravaging West Bengal coastlines,” a met office spokesman said.

The Sundarbans has protected coastal districts of Bangladesh from the
wrath of the tropical cyclone, “Dr Abul Kalam Mallik, an official of
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) told BSS.

“The mangrove forest has acted as a buffer to save coastlines of the
country. Otherwise costal districts would have been severely affected by the
cyclone Bulbul,” he added.

After completing crossing West Bengal-Khulna coast (near Sundarbans), the
forward peripheral of the cyclone hit Bangladesh coastlines at around 5 am
this morning, Mallik said. The wind velocity of the cyclone varies in