Photo: Collected
After the very severe cyclonic storm ‘Arnab’, another cyclone, ‘Murasu’, is now approaching. As a severe cyclonic storm, it may cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight today (Monday) and 4am tomorrow (Tuesday).
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Murasu, over the west-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal, moved north-westwards at a speed of about 12 kilometres per hour over the past 6 hours. Having gained strength, it is now a severe cyclonic storm.
The Bay of Bengal is rough under the influence of the severe cyclonic storm. For this reason, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked the country’s four seaports to hoist distant warning signal No 2.
A special weather bulletin issued at 6:30am today said that cyclone ‘Murasu’ over the west-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining south-west Bay of Bengal moved north-westwards, intensified and turned into a severe cyclonic storm over the same area. At 3am today, 2 November, it was located 1,390 kilometres south-west of Chattogram seaport, 1,350 kilometres south-west of Cox’s Bazar seaport, 1,245 kilometres south-west of Mongla seaport and 1,255 kilometres south-west of Payra seaport. Moving further north-westwards, it may cross India’s Andhra coast as a severe cyclonic storm by tonight. The maximum sustained wind speed within 64 kilometres of the cyclone centre is 89 kilometres per hour, rising to 117 kilometres in gusts or squalls.
The bulletin further said the sea is rough near the cyclone centre. Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra seaports have been asked to keep hoisting distant warning signal No 2. Fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay of Bengal have been asked to stay close to the coast and move with caution until further notice.
‘Murasu’ will have no major impact on Bangladesh; the weather may remain dry today. Temperatures may also fall slightly.
Meanwhile, the forecast for the 6 hours from 7am said the weather may remain mainly dry with a partly cloudy sky over Dhaka and its surrounding areas. Winds may blow from the north or north-west at 6 to 12 kilometres per hour, and daytime temperatures may remain nearly unchanged.
According to the forecast, the temperature in the capital at 6am today was 26 degrees Celsius, with humidity at 86 percent. The sun will set in Dhaka at 5:19pm today and rise at 6:06am tomorrow.
Background
According to a Dhaka Times report of 28 October, cyclone ‘Arnab’ began crossing the Yanam coast near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh at around 1:20am on Tuesday night. According to the India Meteorological Department, the wind speed then was 125 to 135 kilometres per hour, with gusts of up to 150 kilometres per hour. The storm cut off power supply in several areas, and flights were suspended at three airports in Andhra.
At a glance
According to an explainer published by The Daily Star Bangla on 12 May 2023, distant warning signal No 2 means that a storm with speeds of 62 to 88 kilometres per hour has formed in the deep sea. The port is not in immediate danger, but ships leaving the port may face danger on the way.
Sources
Original report: Ajker Patrika
Background sources: Dhaka Times, 28 October 2026; The Daily Star Bangla, 12 May 2023
