Maritime ports in Bangladesh have been alerted and advised to take adequate precautionary measures as cyclone Mahasen originated in the southeast Bay of Bengal moved slightly towards the northwest Sunday.

"Depression which already turned into cyclonic storm would likely move initially northwestwards during the next 36 hours and recurve thereafter northeastwards towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast," said a meteorologist of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) which Sunday issued a special weather bulletin.

The BMD special bulletin said the cyclone was centered about 1, 455 km south-southwest of Bangladesh's premier Chittagong seaport, some 242 km southeast of capital Dhaka, 1,360 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar seaport, about 391 km southeast of Dhaka, and 1,390 km south of Mongla port, about 178 km south of Dhaka.

It said maximum sustained wind speed within 54 km of the storm center has risen from 62 kph to 88 kph in gusts/squalls.

It said under the cyclone's influence, squally weather may affect north bay, adjoining coastal area of Bangladesh and the maritime ports.

The meteorologist said cautionary signal No. 3 in a scale of 10 has been sounded for all ports when all fishing boats and trawlers over the north bay have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution till further notice.

They are also advised not to venture into the deep sea.

Sources say the South Asian country's government has already asked its local administrations to remain alert so that evacuation of thousands of people from Bangladesh's coastlines can be done in a short notice in an emergency situation. Endi