DHAKA, Oct 25, 2022 (BSS) - The cyclonic storm "Sitrang" has become very weak and it will disappear within next six hours from 9 am as it is no more a depression now.
 
“Sitrang is very weak now and it is in Mymensingh-Netrokona region now. We are expecting that it will disappear within next six hours,” said a spokesperson of Bangladesh Metrological Department (BMD).  
 
He said maritime ports of Mongla, Payra, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar have been advised to keep hoisting local cautionary signal no. three (r) three as the sea may remain rough.
 
   All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
 
 Earlier the cyclonic storm completed crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night and weakened rapidly into a depression by giving precipitation and lied over Dhaka-Cumilla-Brahmanbaria and adjoining area as a land depression.
   "Coast crossing cyclonic storm "Sitrang" moved north-northeastwards very fast, completed crossing Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola at midnight last night," said the last special bulletin of the met office here at 2am.
 
  The cyclonic storm made landfall and its centre touched Bangladesh coastline around 9pm on Monday.
 
    However, over 2.19 lakh people from 15 coastal districts of the country were evacuated until 5 pm on Monday.
 
   "At least 219,990 people have been taken to cyclone centers in 15 coastal districts by 5pm on Monday," a Disaster Management and Relief Ministry spokesman told BSS on Monday evening.
 
   A joint secretary of the ministry, M Moniruzzaman, added that the evacuation process was initiated 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.
 
   All the educational institutions of Khulna, Barishal and Chittagong divisions remain closed today due to cyclone Sitrang.
 
  The Ministry of Education gave instructions to use the educational institutions in the cyclone-affected areas as shelters, according to a press release of the education ministry.
 
  The ministry said classes of the educational institutions which will be used as shelters will be closed until further orders.
  Three airports at Bangladesh's coastal belt in Chattogram, Cox's Bazar and Barishal kept its operation close since 3pm on Monday to the inclement weather induced by the cyclone Sitrang.
 
   The Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh (CAAB) took the decision and will review it after observing the weather situation, according to a CAAB press release.
   
The Agriculture Ministry on Monday suggested cutting Aman rice, which is 80 percent ripe, to minimise the possible brunt of the approaching cyclonic storm Sitrang.
 
   The direction was given along with a set of directives in a preparatory meeting of the ministry on Monday.
 
   Leave of all officers and employees of offices and organisations under the ministry was canceled and they were asked to stay in office constantly to face the urgent situation.