At least 15 lakh will be moved to shelters in areas prone to be affected by Cyclone Hamoon to shelters within 8pm today, said State Minister for the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman.

He said, the low pressure turned into Cyclone Hamoon on Monday. It is approaching the coast of Bangladesh in a northeasterly direction towards Chattogram and Barishal. At present it is located at a distance of 310 km from Payra port with a wind speed between 89 kmph and 117 kmph.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department has asked the maritime ports of Payra and Chattogram to hoist danger signal no seven and six for Cox's Bazar and five for Mongla as severe cyclonic storm Hamoon may cross Barishal-Chattogram Coast near Bhola by tomorrow morning to noon as a cyclonic storm.

"It has been decided to take the people of the risk prone area to the shelter as danger signal number seven has been issued. Accordingly, our field administration and volunteers will soon start taking the affected people to the shelter. We made the decision by analysing the trajectory, speed and character of the cyclone," said the state minister.

It will cross the coastal region between 10pm today and 10am tomorrow. So, instructions have been given to bring vulnerable people to shelters by eight o'clock at night, added the state minister.

Shelters have been prepared and field administration volunteers are working there.

"We have already allocated money for providing cooked food and drinking water, food for children and cow fodder. Tk20 lakh, 50 metric tons of rice have been allotted to each district. Tk1 crore has been allocated for baby food and Tk1 crore for cow feed," said Enamur Rahman.

"Today's official holiday of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief has been cancelled. Ministries, directorates and field level officers are working in the coastal region. Hamoon's trajectory is similar to last year's Sitrang Cyclone, albeit slightly to the northwest. That's why a little extra caution is called for," he added.