Mercury soars to highest 40°C of the season as cyclone Fani turns severe    

The residents of Rajshahi have experienced the hottest day of the season as Fani has pulled clouds to become a severe cyclonic storm. 

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 29 April 2019, 06:55 PM
Updated : 29 April 2019, 07:09 PM

Mercury rose to 40 degrees Celsius in the northern district on Monday as heat wave continued sweltering Bangladesh.   

Mild to moderate heat wave sweeping over Rajshahi, Dhaka and Khulna divisions may continue for two more days, meteorologist AKM Ruhul Quddus told bdnews24.com as the highest temperature in Dhaka City was recorded 36.3 degrees Celsius.

People of southeastern district of Sylhet, however, enjoyed 20.5 degrees Celsius temperature with little rains.  

In Tuesday’s forecast, the Met Office said rain or thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rangpur and Sylhet divisions.

Weather may remain mainly dry with temporary partly cloudy sky elsewhere over the country.

Day and night temperature may remain nearly unchanged over the country.

FANI TURNS SEVERE

The cyclonic storm Fani over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining area moved north-northwestwards and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the same area and adjoining Southwest Bay.

Centred at about 1300-1500km southwest of Bangladesh’s ports on Monday night, it is likely to intensify further and move in a north or northwesterly direction further, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64km of the storm centre is about 90kph rising to 110kph in gusts or squalls.

The maritime ports have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal no. two as the sea will remain high.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and deep sea have been advised to proceed with caution till further notice. They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

The storm was centred about 620km from Trincomalee of Sri Lanka, 770km from Chennai in India’s Tamil Nadu and 900km from Machilipatnam in India’s Andhra Pradesh in the evening after moving north-northwestwards with a speed of about 16kmph in last six hours, according to India Meteorological Department.

It is likely to turn into a very severe cyclonic storm as strong as a hurricane with maximum sustained wind speed between 120kmph and 185kmph on Tuesday morning.

By Thursday after, the storm may strengthen further with a wind speed of up to 195kmph.

After moving towards Andhra coast until Wednesday, the storm may turn northwards, according to graphic of its possible path drawn by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre.

Drawing more heat and moisture along with strength, Fani may cross Odisha coast near Puri in India on Friday before weakening with rains.