Cyclone Rimal may reach a speed of 110 to 120 km/h when it hits the coast. This wind speed can reach a maximum of 135 km. The Indian Meteorological Department has given this forecast in a notification at around 2:30 pm today.

The India Meteorological Department says that Cyclone Rimal, formed in the Bay of Bengal, has moved further north. At 12 noon today (Bangladesh time), it was located about 220 km south and southwest of Khepupara and 260 km south of Mongla. At that time, wind speeds around the center of the cyclone were 95 to 105 km/h, increasing to 115 km/h. The cyclone has been moving northwards at 13 kilometers per hour for the past six hours.

The Indian Meteorological Office has issued a ‘highest alert’ considering the intensity of Rimal. Rimal will move further north and strengthen and cross the coast of Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal, their release said. By midnight tonight, the cyclone is likely to make landfall in the area between Sagar Dwip in West Bengal and Khepupara in Bangladesh, near southwest Mongla. At this time the wind speed can be 110 to 120 km. The maximum it can reach is 135 km.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked Payra and Mongla seaports to display distress signal number 10 this morning. The coastal districts of Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali and their nearby islands and chars will be under the 10th mega danger signal.

Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong seaports have been asked to display distress signal number 9. The coastal districts of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur and their nearby islands and chars will also be covered under the 9th emergency signal.