A new weather system named “Montha” is forming over the Bay of Bengal. Though it has not yet intensified into a cyclone, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has confirmed that its effects are already being felt in coastal areas. Rain started to fall in Cox’s Bazar around 2:45 pm on Sunday (October 26), after days of intense heat.
The deep depression is currently located about 1,270 kilometers south of Cox’s Bazar, according to Abdul Hannan, Assistant Meteorologist at the Cox’s Bazar Met Office. “It may continue to gather strength and eventually develop into a cyclonic storm, and possibly a severe cyclone,” he said.
“The system is likely to make landfall over India’s Andhra Pradesh coast late on October 28 or early on October 29. Under its influence, we may experience scattered rainfall,” Hannan added.
The maritime ports have been advised to hoist distant cautionary signal number 1. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay and deep sea have been instructed to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
If it turns into a cyclone, it will be named “Montha” — a name given by Thailand, which means “beautiful flower” in Thai.
Cyclones forming over the Indian Ocean are named in advance by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) from a rotating list contributed by member countries. This time, Thailand proposes the next name, indicating the potential birth of Cyclone Montha.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
