Cyclone SIDR turns into hurricane

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The severe cyclonic storm SIDR over the Bay has turned into a hurricane with strong winds in its core, prompting the Met Office to advise the country's sea-ports to hoist warning signal no-4, reports UNB.
A latest special weather bulletin on Tuesday afternoon said: "The cyclonic storm SIDR over the south-east Bay and adjoining areas moved north-north-westwards, concentrated into a severe cyclonic storm with a core of hurricane wind."
It was centred about 1,115-km south-south-west of Chittagong Port, 1,030-km south-south-west of Cox's Bazar Port, and 1,090-km south of Mongla Port at 6:00am.
"It is likely to intensify further, and move in a north / north-westerly direction," said the bulletin. Maximum sustained wind speed within 74-km of the storm centre is about 165 kph, rising as high as to 185 kph in gusts or squalls. "Sea will remain very high," said the Met forecast.
As the maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla have been advised to hoist high warning signal, all fishing-boats and trawlers over the north Bay have been advised to take shelter "immediately."
The cyclone formed over the Bay Monday, the very day the coastal life and property were devastated in 1970 by the worst-ever cyclone in the country.