Arnab intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm, maritime ports hoist cautionary signal No. 3

Cyclone Arnab over the Bay of Bengal has gained further strength and intensified into a severe cyclonic storm. The country's maritime ports have been advised to hoist cautionary signal No. 3, up from the distant warning signal No. 2 that had been in place.

In an emergency forecast on Monday (26 October), the Met Office had said the deep depression over the east-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining southeast Bay moved northwestwards and intensified into Cyclone Arnab over the east-central Bay and adjoining west-central Bay, positioned at latitude 15.4 degrees north and longitude 89.0 degrees east.

At 6am on Monday, the cyclone was located 820 kilometres southwest of Chattogram port, 745 kilometres southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 785 kilometres south of Mongla port and 745 kilometres south of Payra port.

Within 54 kilometres of the cyclone centre, the maximum sustained wind speed was 62 kilometres per hour, rising to 88 kilometres per hour in gusts. The sea near the centre remained very rough.

The forecast had said the cyclone would move west-northwestwards and could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay by Monday midnight. Arnab has now done so, and the signal for the ports has been raised to No. 3.

According to the forecast, the storm may then move further northwestwards and cross India's Andhra coast on 28 October as a very severe cyclonic storm.

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