Depression likely to cross Barisal-Khulna coast: City life remains paralysed for second day

Normal life in the capital city of Dhaka and elsewhere in the country has been paralyzed due to intermittent rainfall resulting from the deep depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay for last two days.
According to Met Office, the deep depression over the northwest and adjoining west-central Bay is likely to cross the Khulna-Barisal coast by noon or afternoon today (Monday) leaving a trail of downpour.
People of different sections of the society, particularly the office goers, students and garments workers faced difficulties to reach their destinations on time amid the stormy weather created under the influence of deep depression.
They stranded in different points due to shortages of transports both on roads and water ways.
Day labourers were forced to confine at homes without going out for work.
Most of the shops, kitchen markets, grocery and confectionaries, restaurants were either closed or facing shortages of buyers. Prices of eggs, pulses, potato, fuel, candles, fish, meat and other essential items increased due to shortage of supply in adverse weather.
The Met Office yesterday warned that the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Feni, Chandpur, Barguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Bhola, Pirojpur, Jhalakati, Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by wind-driven surge of 3-5 feet of height above normal astronomical tide under the influence of deep depression.
The depression moved rapidly north-northeastwards and was lying over the north Bay and adjoining area at about 3:00pm yesterday.
According to Met Office weather bulletin, the deep depression had centred about 550 kms west-southwest of Chittagong Port, 515 kms west-southwest of Cox's Bazar Port and 380 kms southwest of Mongla Port.
It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northeasterly direction. Squally weather may continue over the coastal areas of the country, the weather bulletin said.
Maximum sustained wind speed within 48 kms of the depression centre is about 50 KPH (kilo meter per hour), rising to 60 KPH in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain rough.
Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist local cautionary signal number three.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter until further notice.
Most parts of the country, particularly coastal districts, have been experiencing light to moderate rain and gusty winds under the influence of the depression, paralyzing normal life of people in both cities and villages.
Our Barisal Correspondent Adv Tapan Chakraborty reports that the normal life in Barisal region continued to be paralyzed due to incessant mid to heavy downpour and gusty winds until writing this report since early Saturday night.
Barisal weather office recorded 173 millimeters rainfall in 18 hours since 6:00 am Saturday morning with gusty winds.
Port authorities continued restriction over plying of ML (motor Launch) type water transports less than 65 feet in length on 76 routes including 28 inner routes of Barisal, 21 routes of Patuakhali, 13 routes of Barguna, 14 routes of Bhola and coastal services on five routes of Barisal-Bhola-Laxmipur-Chittagong.
Rafiqul Islam, deputy director of BIWTA and officer in charge of Barisal Port said that the ML type launch operation would not be operative in Dhaka Barisal route till the weather condition improved.
Prodip Kumar, officer of Kalapara weather radar station said to local journalists that cautionary weather signal no.3 in coastal areas continued as the well-marked low over west-central Bay and adjoining area moving to west-northwest direction and has been getting stronger into a well marked low over west-central Bay and adjoining northwest Bay.
It is likely to intensify further and move to a north or northwesterly direction affecting the usual operation of the maritime ports, he added.
Rainfall recorded as 249 millimeter in last 18 hours since Saturday 6:00 am and tidal bore flowing 2-4 feet high than usual time in Kalapara region.
Abdul Barek Molla, chairman of Lata Chapli UP of Kalapara coastal upazila under Patuakhali district said that about 80 per cent embankments constructed to halt access of saline water and preserve sweet water reserves have been damaged severely due to downpour.
Sujoy Chakma, executive engineer of Water Development Board of Barguna, told journalists that 253 millimeter rainfall recorded in last 18 hours since 6:00 am Saturday morning and river tide flowing 2-3 meters higher than normal period.
Maximum portions of the 850 kilometers embankment constructed to save the people from over flooding rivers urgently needed to be repaired or reconstructed.
Reports further said that more than 60 thousand peoples residing on more than 80 shoals in southern region of Barisal division are marooned by over flooding of river and downpour.
Agriculture extension department officials of Barisal region said the rainfall would damage Aman crop if water logging continues for some days on the field and seedlings of winter vegetables at some places in the region would be affected much to the frustration of small growers.
Advocate Kazi Munir, Barisal district Red Crescent secretary and AHM Saleh, official of CPP of Barisal Red Crescent, said regular wireless contact with their units on different shore, off shore, coastal islands and shoals, are being maintained and they informed that conditions of river estuaries and sea were very rough with high waves and strong tides and gusty winds since last afternoon.
Sources said continued drizzles and gusty winds forced disruption of normal work at Mongla Port yesterday.
Hundreds of fishermen of Dublar Char, Kachi Khali and different regions of Sundarbans mangrove took shelter in nearby coasts with their trawlers and fishing boats.