The circulation over the central Bay of Bengal has become a low and is gaining strength, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department said. With rain likely, the Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT), a private forecasting group, has urged farmers to harvest paddy that is already ripe and move it to safety by 26 October, Dhaka Post reported.
According to BWOT, the low could become a well-marked low within 12 to 24 hours, a depression or deep depression within 48 hours, and very probably a strong cyclone within 72 hours. Early estimates put landfall on India's east coast between the evening of 27 October and the morning of 28 October, though the track, strength and timing may change as this is a preliminary forecast.
The risk of a direct hit on Bangladesh is low so far, but the system could bring significant rain across the country. Meteorologists say a strong rain belt could set in over different regions between 27-28 October and 1-2 November.
For farmers the danger is clear: ripe paddy soaked by rain can rot, sprout in the ear or lodge. Hence the advice to cut ripe paddy by 26 October and store it safely. Those planning new winter vegetables or seedbeds are advised to wait until the rain has passed.
Where rabi crops or vegetables are already in the ground, farmers should clear drains so water can run off quickly, cover harvested crops, seed and fertiliser with polythene, and arrange transport for the harvest in advance.
With the northern Bay likely to turn rough, fishing boats and trawlers in deep water have been told to move with caution and follow the authorities' instructions.
Photo: Harvesting paddy in the haor, Balaram Mahalder / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Source: Dhaka Post
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