Government issue storm warnings

Government authorities issued storm warnings and prepared for evacuations as Tropical Storm Bijli moved close to the Bangladeshi coast on 17 April 2009. Meteorologists forecast that the storm will make landfall around 1400 UTC near the city of Chittagong and the coastal city of Cox's Bazar in southeastern Bangladesh. Reports indicate that the Bangladeshi meteorological department has raised the storm warning to signal number 6 on a 10-point rating scale. Flights out of Chittagong International Airport (VGEG/CGP) will be halted on the evening of 17 April and tourists have been told to leave Cox's Bazar. Fishing boats and other vessels have been ordered into port and volunteer relief workers have been put on alert in anticipation of the storm.