Chittagong Port Authority has made extensive preparations to deal with possible cyclone Remal damage. On Saturday afternoon, the Meteorological Department has stopped the movement of lighter ships after giving instructions to display warning signal number three for the four seaports of the country including Chittagong. Lighter ships are used to unload cargo from larger ships at outer anchorage. Large ships (mother vessels) are usually anchored outside. From these lighter ships are loaded with goods and taken to different parts of the country.
Discharge of goods at outer anchorage and jetty was normal till noon. However, when the rains and stormy winds started, the rise and fall of the products gradually decreased.
Secretary of Chittagong Port Authority. Omar Farooq told Jugantar that a meeting was held in the port building in the morning to prepare for possible damage. Chairman of Chittagong Port Rear Admiral Mohammad Sohail presided over it and senior officials were present. In the meeting, all concerned were instructed to be prepared by observing the weather movement and take any necessary action.
He said that after the issuance of warning signal No. 3 by the Meteorological Department in the afternoon, no lighters are going to outer anchor from the shore. Lighters already at outer anchorage were loading cargo from larger ships. The goods were being cleared at the jetty as well but if the warning signal is raised then necessary action will be taken accordingly. Another meeting in this regard is scheduled to take place at night. From there, further instructions will be given regarding the movement of ships, loading and unloading of goods and delivery to the port.
According to the port sources, usually when the Meteorological Office gives warning signal number three, the lighter ships are stopped by the concerned authorities. According to the Cyclone-Disaster Preparedness and Post-Cyclone Rehabilitation Plan formulated by the Port Authority in 1992, the port issues four types of warnings based on signals from the Meteorological Department.
When the Meteorological Department issues signal number 3, the port issues a first level warning or ‘Alert-1’. The port issues ‘Alert-2’ when the Meteorological Department issues signal number 4. The second highest alert ‘Alert-3’ is issued at the port for distress signal number 5, 6 and 7. In case of major danger signal 8, 9 and 10, the highest alert ‘Alert-4’ is issued at the port. Lighter ships are asked to move to safe harbor when their own Alert-2 is given. When Alert 3 is issued, the vessel is moved from the jetty to outer anchorage. In addition, the equipment used to redeem the goods is tied with ropes. And when Alert-4 is issued, operational activities are completely stopped.
Sources from Water Transport Cell, which oversees the movement of lighter ships, said that it has been raining intermittently since Saturday afternoon. The sea is a bit rough. In this situation, the lighter ship is not able to go to outer anchorage.