Cyclone ‘Maantha’ has intensified in the Bay of Bengal and is moving dangerously close to the Bangladesh coast. The storm, currently positioned over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal, is expected to bring scattered rainfall across southern Bangladesh from Tuesday (October 28), according to the Bangladesh Weather Observation Team (BWOT).
In a social media post, BWOT said that rainfall may increase across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday under the influence of the cyclone. Although ‘Maantha’ is unlikely to make landfall in Bangladesh, its rainbands will affect coastal regions.
According to the latest update from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the cyclone was located about 1,305 km southwest of Chattogram port, 1,260 km southwest of Cox’s Bazar, 1,165 km southwest of Mongla, and 1,175 km southwest of Payra as of Monday midnight. It is expected to intensify further and make landfall along the Andhra Pradesh coast in India by Tuesday evening or night.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the cyclone is moving towards land at a speed of 60 km per hour. It is expected to make landfall between Kakinada and Kalingapatnam on the Andhra coast, with wind speeds reaching 90–100 km/h, gusting up to 120 km/h.
Authorities in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha have already issued alerts, evacuating coastal residents to safer locations. Several trains have been canceled, and emergency control rooms and helplines have been set up to assist affected communities.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised the Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra seaports to keep hoisting warning signal No. 2. Fishing boats and trawlers operating in the north Bay have been asked to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution until further notice.
Weather experts warn that although ‘Maantha’ may not make direct landfall in Bangladesh, it could still cause heavy rainfall, rough seas, and temporary tidal surges in the coastal belt.
