Dhaka, Nov. 15 -- A well-marked low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and could strengthen further into a cyclonic storm, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).

The Met Office has advised the maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla and Payra to hoist Distant Cautionary Signal No. 1.

In a special bulletin issued on Sunday, the BMD said the system had moved north-northwestwards and intensified into a depression over the southeastern Bay of Bengal.

At 6am, the depression was centred about 1,950km southwest of Chattogram port, 1,900km southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 1,820km southwest of Mongla port and 1,825km southwest of Payra port.

It may move further north-northwestwards ...