Cyclone Mocha Develops Into Extremely Severe Storm, May Hit Bangladesh, Myanmar Coasts On Sunday Noon

New Delhi: Cyclone Mocha has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm, and is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar and Kyaukpyu, close to Sittwe in Myanmar, around Sunday (May 14) noon.

The very severe cyclonic storm is expected to hit the Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 kmph, gusting to 175 kmph.

According to the latest India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin, Mocha moved nearly north-northeastwards with a speed of 8 kmph during the last six hours and lay centered over East Central Bay of Bengal — about 565 km northwest of Port Blair, 760 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and 690 km southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar) — in the early hours of Saturday.

IMD has issued a warning for fishermen.

“Due to the presence of a very severe cyclonic storm over the Central Bay of Bengal and its movement towards Bangladesh and Myanmar coast, fishermen are advised not to venture into the deep sea of North Bay of Bengal during the period between May 12 and May 14, 2023,” IMD stated.

A high alert has been issued in northeastern states, eastern India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The Met office has predicted heavy showers in Tripura and Mizoram Saturday onwards, while Nagaland, Manipur and south Assam will be hit by rains at isolated places on Sunday.