�� "The evacuation campaign has begun across the coastal region. The people are moving towards safety," director general of disaster management department Abdul Wajed told PTI.
The Met office had issued an overnight storm warning with an intensity of 7 on a scale of 10 for the coastline.
� ��The Met office in a bulletin issued this afternoon said the storm moved further towards the coast while residents at coastlines said they witnessed drizzles and cloudy weather indicating the advancement of the storm.
"We, however, do not expect the storm to hit the coast before tomorrow morning but the peripheral wind of the cyclone could be felt in the coastal areas from 10 PM today," Met office director Shah Alam told PTI.
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The authorities earlier today temporarily closed the country's three seaports and airports in Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Mongla.
Households exposed to tidal surges have been prioritised for evacution and are to be sheltered at 3,770 permanent cyclone shelters.
An armed forces spokesman said alongside army troops, the navy has kept 22 ships ready and the air force their helicopters to launch evacuation operations alongside the civil administration.
Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said 49,365 of its volunteers launched the evacuation campaign in 13 districts using megaphones asking people to move out of their homes.
"The trained volunteers are equipped with megaphones, torches, medical kits and other required equipment for facing the pre- and post-cyclone phases," a Red Crescent official said.