Cyclone Hamoon began crossing the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar coast of Bangladesh on Tuesday night with wind speeds of 80 kms per hour, as the authorities evacuated 1.5 million people in 10 coastal districts to storm shelters.
The extended frontal part of the storm touched the coastal belt around 6 pm on Tuesday, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
Hamoon had earlier taken the form of a super cyclone but lost its strength when it came close to the coast and took the form of a cyclone. The meteorological department said it may take eight to ten hours for the storm to fully cross the coast.
Heavy to very heavy rains with gusty winds were occurring in the coastal areas on Tuesday evening due to the influence of Hamoon's advance.
The districts which fall on the potential path of the cyclone are Patuakhali, Bhola, Barishal, Pirojpur, Jhalkathi, Barguna, Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, and Lakshmipur.
As a precautionary measure, shipping activities at the Chittagong Port were suspended. The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) suspended the loading and unloading of cargo after receiving instructions to hoist danger signal number 7.
After an emergency meeting on Tuesday, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Enamur Rahman briefed the media about the evacuation in 10 districts.
He said that they have prepared the shelters and given instructions to bring all vulnerable people to safety by Tuesday 8:00 pm.
Meteorologist Sadequl Alam from the meteorological department warned that a large amount of clouds is accompanying the cyclone, bringing the risk of heavy rain to Dhaka, Chittagong, Barisal and Khulna.
Landslides are a concern in Chittagong and the Chittagong Hill Tracts due to heavy rains, prompting residents to exercise caution.
Meanwhile, rain already began across the country, including coastal areas, on Tuesday. Teknaf in Cox's Bazar reported up to 62 mm of rain, with the possibility of increased rainfall in these areas.
Our Chattogram correspondent reported that the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) stopped loading and unloading cargo at the seaport due to danger signal number 7 as cyclone Hamoon approached.
CPA Chairman Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail convened an emergency meeting and decided to halt cargo operations.
"The decision was made after a meeting with all the port's stakeholders," said CPA Secretary Omar Faruk. "The chairman instructed to stop ship loading and unloading as the storm came within the 300 km range of the coast."
The CPA made preparations to deal with the cyclone, including opening a control room. Ships at the jetty were directed to move to open anchorage. Four ships left the harbour during high tide in the morning, but others remained due to low tide.
"There were 22 ships at the jetty, and four have departed," Omar Faruk said. "The rest will leave during the next tide, expected around 4 pm."
Small and medium-sized vessels near the river port were asked to move upstream along the Karnaphuli River, from Chittagong port to Shah Amanat Bridge. Heavy machinery will be secured, and objects needing to be tied down will also be protected.
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