Depression: Tourists to leave St Martins by Monday afternoon

Saint Martin Island - Ferry launch carries tourists there from Teknaf daly.

Cox’s Bazar, Oct 23 - Local administration has asked the tourists to leave St Martin's Island by Monday afternoon due to inclement weather caused by a depression over the Bay of Bengal.

Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer Adnan Chowdhury said the tourists in St Martin's Island have been asked to leave the place by 2:30 pm today for their safety.

All tourists have been asked to return to Teknaf.

However, the local administration imposed a ban on movement of all kinds of vessels on Teknaf- St Martin's, St Martin's-Cox’s Bazar and St Martin's-Chattogram routes on Monday.

According to a Met office bulletin, maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal No 3 as the deep depression over West-central Bay and adjoining area moved slightly North-Northeastwards and lies in the same area.

At 12 pm on Monday, it was centred about 755 kms West-Southwest of Chattogram port, 710 kms West-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 630 kms Southwest of Mongla port and 630 kms Southwest of Payra port, said a Met office bulletin.

It is likely to move North-Northwestwards and intensify further. Under its influence deep convection is taking place over North Bay, the bulletin added.

The meteorologists predicted that squally weather may affect the maritime ports, North Bay and adjoining coastal areas of Bangladesh while sea will remain rough near the deep depression centre.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast, so that they can take shelter within a very short notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea. -UNB