DHAKA, Oct 24, 2022 (BSS) - Cyclonic storm 'Sitrang' hit Bangladesh coastline around 9pm tonight as it started crossing the coast between southwestern Barishal and southeastern Chattogram with a devastating wind speed up to 90 km per hour.
 
   "The cyclonic storm "Sitrang" over northeast bay and adjoining northwest bay moved north-northeastwards very fast and started crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at 9pm today," Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) official Dr Muhammad Abul Kalam Mollik told BSS
 
   He said it may complete crossing the coast during next 03-04 hours by 1am to 2am on Tuesday.
 
   BMD in its latest bulletin said maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre is about 62 kph rising to 88 kph in gusts or squalls
 
   Maritime ports of Mongla, Payra and Chattogram have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no. seven (r) seven.
 
   The coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Nakhali and Feni and their offshore islands will remain under danger signal no. seven (r) seven and are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 88 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.
 
   Maritime port of Cox's Bazar have been advised to keep hoisted danger signal no. Six (r) Six.
 
   The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will Remain under danger signal no. Six (r) Six and are likely to experience heavy or very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 75 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.
 
   Other districts are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by squally wind speed up to 50-60 kph with the approach and passage of the storm.
 
   Riverports of the districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur,
 
   Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Cumilla,
 
   Chattogram, Faridpur, Dhaka, Madaripur, Gopalganj, Tangail, Kishoreganj,
 
   Brahmanbaria, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sylhet, Mymensingh and Cox's bazar have been
 
   Advised to keep hoisted riverine danger signal no. Three (r) Three.
 
   Under the influence of the cyclone, new moon phase and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Satkhira, Khulna, Bagherhat, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur, Borguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Noakhali, Feni, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 05-08 feet above normal astronomical tide.
 
   All fishing boats and trawlers over north bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
 
  However, over 2.19 lakh people from 15 coastal districts of the country were evacuated until 5 pm today while more were expected to take makeshift refuge in safe shelters overnight.
 
   "At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts by 5pm today," a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman told BSS this evening.
 
   A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was underway to minimize human casualties as "we have kept ready 6,925 cyclone centers" expecting the last person exposed to cyclone dangers to take refuge there.