Dhaka, Reporter 

Publication Date: October 26, 2026

Cyclone ‘Arnab’, which formed over the Bay of Bengal, is gaining strength. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department has advised the country’s four seaports—Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla and Payra—to hoist Local Warning Signal No. 2 (distant warning signal). At the same time, all fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay of Bengal have been instructed to remain close to the coast and navigate cautiously until further notice.

In a special bulletin issued on Monday (October 26), the Meteorological Department provided information about the cyclone’s location, movement and potential intensification. The deep depression that had previously formed over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Arnab. It is currently positioned over the east-central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal.

According to the Meteorological Department, at 6:00 am on Monday, the centre of the cyclone was approximately 820 kilometres southwest of Chattogram Seaport, 745 kilometres southwest of Cox’s Bazar Seaport, 785 kilometres south of Mongla Seaport and 745 kilometres south of Payra Seaport.

The maximum sustained wind speed near the centre of the cyclone was approximately 62 kilometres per hour within a radius of 54 kilometres. Wind speeds may reach up to 88 kilometres per hour in gusts or squalls. The Meteorological Department reported that the sea was very rough near the cyclone’s centre.

According to the forecast, Cyclone Arnab may move further west-northwestward. It could intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by midnight on Monday. The system is then expected to move northwestward, with the possibility of further intensification. The forecast also indicated that the cyclone could cross the coast of India’s Andhra Pradesh on October 28. However, the actual situation will depend on changes in the cyclone’s track and intensity.

The cyclone may cause changes in weather conditions in Bangladesh’s coastal regions. According to a weather report by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), isolated places in the Chattogram Division may experience rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds. Weather conditions in other parts of the country may remain predominantly dry, although the sky could become partly cloudy at times.

Alongside the warning signals issued at the seaports, fishing boats and trawlers operating in the North Bay of Bengal have been instructed to exercise extra caution. Until further notice, these vessels have been advised to remain close to the coast and navigate carefully.

As the cyclone’s conditions may change, residents of coastal areas, fishermen and vessels operating at sea should regularly follow official weather forecasts and warnings. They should take necessary precautions in accordance with any new advisories or instructions issued by the relevant authorities.