Along Bangladesh’s coast, weather is more than a forecast—it’s survival. For the tourists, locals, and the fishermen alike, knowing warning signals can mean staying safe by the sea.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department issues weather signals to alert the public about potential dangers from cyclones, heavy rainfall, or other severe weather events. Here is what each signal for maritime ports means;
Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1: There is a region of squally weather in the distant sea where a storm may form.
Distant Warning Signal No. 2: A storm has formed in the distant deep sea. Ships may fall into danger if they leave harbour.
Local Cautionary Signal No. 3: The port is threatened by squally weather.
Local Warning Signal No.4: The port is threatened by a storm but it doesn’t appear that the danger is as yet sufficiently great to justify extreme precautionary measures.
Danger Signal No. 5: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of slight or moderate intensity that is expected to cross the coast to the south of Chittagong port or Cox’s Bazar port and to the east of Mongla port.
Danger Signal No. 6: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of slight or moderate intensity that is expected to cross the coast to the north of the port of Chittagong or Cox’s Bazar and to the west of the port of Mongla.
Danger Signal No. 7: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of light or moderate intensity that is expected to cross over or near the port.
Great Danger Signal No. 8: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity that is expected to cross the coast to the south of the port of Chittagong or Cox’s Bazar and to the east of the port of Mongla.
Great Danger Signal No. 9: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity that is expected to cross the coast to the north or the port of Chittagong or Cox’s Bazar and to the west of the port of Mongla.
Great Danger Signal No. 10: The port will experience severe weather from a storm of great intensity that is expected to cross over or near the port.
Failure of Communication No. 11: Communications with the Storm Warning Centre have broken down, and local officers consider that a devastating cyclone is following.
These warning signals help raise public awareness about potential hazards and guide communities in taking the necessary precautions to reduce risks and protect lives.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
