Warning signal 3 raised at four Bangladeshi seaports

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has asked the seaports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra to hoist Local Warning Signal No. 3 after a low-pressure system over the north-western Bay of Bengal intensified into a well-marked low.

In a special weather bulletin issued on Saturday, the Met Office said the well-marked low was centred over the north-western Bay of Bengal and the adjoining north Odisha-West Bengal coast. Under its influence, squally weather is likely to affect the country's seaports, the northern Bay of Bengal and adjoining coastal areas.

The BMD advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra to keep Local Warning Signal No. 3 hoisted until further notice.

Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the northern Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.

The weather system is also expected to bring increased rainfall to parts of Bangladesh, particularly the coastal and southern regions. However, the Met Office has not indicated that the system is expected to develop into a cyclone at this stage.