Local administrations in the southern regions of the country are mobilising extensive efforts to deal with Cyclone Hamoon which is advancing with speeds ranging between 89 kmph and 117 kmph, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Office.

The cyclone is projected to make landfall along the Barishal-Chattogram coast near Bhola, potentially between 10pm on Tuesday (23 October) and 10am on Wednesday (24 October).

To tackle the cyclone, Barishal Divisional Commissioner Shawkat Ali convened a virtual meeting with six deputy commissioners from the division at the circuit house on Tuesday afternoon.

He provided instructions for taking proactive measures against the cyclone.

In compliance with these directives, sufficient shelters, medical teams, dry provisions, rice, cash, and post-cyclone rescue teams have been prepared across all districts.

All water transports have been ordered to position themselves near the coasts.

Furthermore, the Hindu communities have been advised to conclude idol immersion by evening.

The divisional commissioner has also mandated the cancellation of holidays for all government employees.

In Barishal district alone, 541 cyclone response centers have been established, along with 61 medical teams and 322 tonnes of rice, as reported by Barishal Deputy Commissioner Shahidul Islam during a meeting at the district conference room.

The deputy commissioner also disclosed an allocation of Tk936,000 in cash to address post-disaster scenarios.

In Lakshmipur, the district administration has arranged 185 permanent and 100 temporary shelters. The meteorological office has issued danger signal no 7 for the district, prompting the suspension of ships on the Lakshmipur-Bhola-Barishal route and ferries on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route.

Traffic Supervisor Shariful Islam of Laxmipur's Majuchawdhurirhat Launch Ghat confirmed that launch and ferry operations will remain suspended until further notice.

Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar's 'radar station', a crucial installation for gathering advance warnings of various disasters, including deep-sea cyclones, is currently non-operational.

Imam Uddin, assistant meteorologist at the Cox's Bazar Regional Office of DMD, explained that it has been out of commission for some time due to technical issues.

He added, "Weather information is being received from other radar stations operational in the country. If the Cox's Bazar radar was operational, it would have been possible to provide more accurate data."