Shawdesh desk:

The well-marked low over Southeast Bay and adjoining South Andaman Sea moved slightly Northwestwards and intensified into a depression.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a Northwesterly direction, said a bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

Around 12 pm Saturday it was located about 1425 Kms south of Chattogram Port, 1340 Kms South of Cox’s Bazar Port, 1460 Kms South-Southeast of Mongla Port and 1405 Kms South-Southeast of Payra port.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 44 kms of the depression centre is about 40 KPH rising to 50 KPH in gusts .

However sea will remain moderate near the depression center.

The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal number one.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to come close to the coast, proceed with caution and not to venture in the deep sea.

The government is taking necessary preparations as cyclone ‘Ashani’ is likely to hit Bangladesh coast, said state minister for disaster management and relief Md Enamur Rahman on Thursday.

Cyclone ‘Ashani’ may hit Satkhira district after hitting northeast India’s Odisha and West Bengal, the state minister told reporters after a meeting on cyclone preparedness at the Secretariat.