CHITTAGONG: A cyclonic storm with a velocity of about 100 miles per hour is likely to hit the coastal areas of East Pakistan — from Barisal to Cox’s Bazar — by midnight today [May 31] followed by a tidal wave. The areas threatened by the storm are stated to be Chittagong Hill Tracts, Commila, Noakhali and Barisal districts and the offshore islands in the Bay of Bengal. Chittagong has been experiencing squally wind since 3 p.m. today. The sky is overcast. The water of Bay of Bengal and the Karnaphuly River has started swelling. The storm, it is feared, may be accompanied by 25 feet high tidal wave. It is learnt that an 11 feet high tidal wave has been sweeping the coastal belt of Cox’s Bazar.

The Met office said that signal No. 7 was already hoisted at Chittagong Port but it was unable to provide correct data about the cyclone due to lack of the necessary equipments required to detect cyclonic movement.

[Meanwhile, as reported by agencies from Washington,] Mr Dean Rusk, Secretary of State, said here last night France might ask for NATO to be abolished, but without breaking up the Western alliance. He drew a distinction between the North Atlantic alliance and its political organisation, NATO, when asked in a television interview whether there was any indication France would eventually withdraw from NATO because of her criticisms of its operation.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2015

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