Members of the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) have rescued 12 people after a trawler they were boarding capsized in the rough sea near Bhashar Char in Noakhali.
The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday confirmed the development, saying an AW-139 search and rescue helicopter of BAF was used to airlift them from the Bay of Bengal.
It added that the rescue operation was underway.
The country’s seaports have been asked to hoist the local cautionary Signal No 3 as Cyclone Yass started ravaging eastern India.
The cyclone was packing gusts of up to 140 kph (87 mph) as it hit land, Indian authorities said.
Bangladesh on Tuesday had advised all fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution. They were also advised not to venture into the deep sea.
On the same day, the government suspended passenger vessel service in all inland river ports because of the cyclone.
Even though the cyclone did not strike Bangladesh directly, the country’s coastal districts were seen bearing the brunt of the inclement weather since Tuesday, with gusts damaging properties and tidal upsurge inundating low-lying areas affecting thousands of locals.
The situation in those coastal districts had somewhat worsened on Wednesday.
mj/
