\\\'Hudhud\\\' 870km from Mongla

Tropical cyclone 'Hudhud', growing in force, was staying 870 kilometres from Mongla Port of Bagerhat district in Bangladesh at 6am on Sunday. It was slightly heading northwestwards, towards India's eastern coast. A Met Office weather bulletin said, 'Hudhud' was centred at 6am today about 1020km west-southwest of Chittagong Port, 970km west-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 880km southwest of Payra port and 870km southwest of Mongla Port. It is likely to move in a west-northwesterly direction and may cross north Andhra-south Orissa coast of India by this afternoon. Maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the cyclonic storm centre is about 150kph rising to 170kph in gusts or squalls. Maritime ports of Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted local cautionary signal no. three (3), according to a news agency.