'Komen' crossing Ctg coast, weakens slightly

- 6 dead, 6 missing in Cox's Bazar, Patuakhali and Bhola

- All water transports suspended

- Rainfall in Dhaka likely

- All educational institutions in Cox’s Bazar have been closed

The cyclonic storm “Komen” has weakened slightly and started crossing Chittagong coast near Sandwip around 9:00pm.

After landfall the system may move west-northwestwards and weaken gradually by giving precipitation, according to a special bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Md Shah Alam, director of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), in a press briefing this afternoon said the intensity of the cyclone is unlikely to increase further.

“This is a moderate cyclone and as customary to cyclones in monsoon, it will not be too intense,” he said.

Meanwhile, at least six people have died and six others missing so far in Cox’s Bazar, Patuakhali and Bhola districts affected by ‘Komen’, our local correspondents and disaster management ministry have confirmed.

There are possibilities that the cyclone may let off steam with gusts of rain and become weaker upon landfall, said Abul Kalam Mollick, a Dhaka met official told The Daily Star Online.

1. People of Sandwip, Banshkhali, Anowara, Sitakunda, and Mirsarai upazilas in Chittagong already moving into cyclone centres. Local administration says they are prepared to tackle any disaster.

2. Atleast 32 water routes in Barisal district have been suspended since this morning, our local correspondent reports quoting the district’s acting Deputy Commissioner Abul Kalam Azad.

3. Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar ports asked to maintain cautionary signal no. 7. Mongla and Payra ports to maintain cautionary danger signal no. 7.

4. Coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Bhola, and their offshore islands and chars under danger signal no. 7.

9. Leave of all the government officials in Cox’s Bazar have also been cancelled so that they can take part in rescue works if needed, reports our local correspondent.