Highest alert 4 at Chattogram port for cyclone Amphan
All the operations of the country's premier port Chattogram remained suspended since Wednesday morning as the authorities issued "highest security alert 4" due to cyclone Amphan, which may hit the Bangladesh coast this afternoon.
Following the met office declaration of great danger signal number 9 for the maritime port Chattogram and Cox's Bazar in the morning, the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) issued the highest danger alert 4.
On Tuesday noon the CPA issued alert 3 when as Met office declared danger signal number six for the maritime port Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. After issuing security alert3, loading and unloading at port jetties and outer anchorage suspended.
On Tuesday mother vessels (large ship) were moved to Kutubdia-Cox's Bazar coast, whereas lighter ships and other small vessels have been moved upstream of Shah Amanat Bridge, informed Captain Faridul Alam, deputy conservator at the port.
CPA Secretary Md Omar Faruk said goods unloading in outer anchorage stopped on Monday and offloading in jetties stopped on Tuesday morning after issuing alert-3.
However, goods delivery to yards and container delivery to private depots were going on.
"On Wednesday morning we have issued security alert 4, means all operational activities including loading, unloading and delivery containers have been suspended. Now we have kept ready the evacuation team, medical team and ambulance," Faruk said.
CPA made a plan about cyclone-disaster preparation and post-cyclone rehabilitation in 1992, according to which CPA declares four types of alerts based on the forecast made by the Met office.
CPA hoists alert one when Met office declares danger signal three. It hoist alert two when the danger signal number is four and alert three in case of danger signal number five, six and seven.
In case of great danger signal number eight, nine and 10, alert four is imposed, when all activities of the port are stopped.