Ten people were killed and many injured as the cyclonic storm ‘Roanu’ struck Chittagong region today, officials said.
The storm crossed the coastlines on Chittagong after making a landfall in the region, leaving a trail of devastation across the district.
Of the dead, seven were reported from Banskhali upazila alone. The deaths were mostly caused by drowning and landslides.
Several hundred houses, business establishments and shops were damaged while many trees and electric poles were uprooted, ponds and fish enclosures washed away and several thousand people left marooned due to flood triggered by the storm in different coastal districts.
According to the latest Met Office bulletin, cyclonic storm Roanu made a landfall on Chittagong coast this afternoon and may complete the crossing this evening.
While crossing the coastline, the storm had a speed of 60-80 kilometres per hour while heading east-northeastward, sources said, adding that the rainfall will continue there for next 24 hours due to impact of the cyclone.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts and their offshore islands and chars were inundated by a storm surge of 4-5 feet height above normal astronomical tide.
As the storm crossed the Chittagong coastline, the cautionary signal-7 for Chittagong was lowered down to signal-3 in the evening, Chittagong Met Office sources said.
Most places of the country witnessed rain and thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty and squally wind since early morning. The district administration has taken all the preparations to tackle the aftermath of the cyclone, Mezbahuddin, deputy commissioner of Chittagong, said.
“We have taken all preparations to face the situation Roanu might cause,” Mezbahuddin told reporters.
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority imposed restrictions on the movement of all ships and ferries across the country.
The movement of all vessels in Chittagong port will resume tomorrow morning and activities including loading and unloading of cargoes will remain closed till tomorrow morning, port sources said.