Cyclone Mocha To Form Around May 10, Intensify Into Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: IMD DG

Bhubaneswar: With the formation of a low pressure over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea at 8.30 am, India Meteorological Department (IMD) DG Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Monday said that a cyclonic storm may form over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of eastcentral Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea around May 10.

“The system will continue to move in north-northwestwards till May 12 morning. It is likely concentrate into a Depression tomorrow and take shape of a cyclone by May 10,” he said.

Mohapatra further said that it is likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm and change track from May 12 and move north-northeastwards towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts. “The system currently lies near Andaman and Nicobar Islands and will have an impact on Southeast Bay of Bengal, South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Island, where wind speed may reach up to 60kmph. There will isolated heavy rainfall at Nicobar islands. The wind speed will increase from May 9 evening. No warnings have been issued for Odisha,” he added.

The IMD will issue an update on the system again on Tuesday.

Upon its intensification into a cyclonic storm, the system will be called Cyclone Mocha, a name suggested by Yemen. It originates from the Yemeni city Mocha (or Mokha) located on the Red Sea coast, which is known to have introduced coffee to the world over 500 years ago. Mocha is a chocolate-flavoured warm beverage that is a variant of coffee.

Also Read: Cyclone Mocha: Forecast Models Indicate Change Of Path

IMD WARNING

Squally weather with wind speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely to prevail over southeast Bay of Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea on May 8.

Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely over southeast Bay of Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea on May 9.

Gale wind speed reaching 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph is likely over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea on May 10-11.

Gale wind speed reaching 80-90 kmph gusting to 100 kmph is likely over eastcentral Bay of Bengal and 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph over Andaman Sea and Andaman Islands on May 12.

Sea condition is likely to be rough over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea on May 8 and very rough from May 9 onwards. It is likely to be very rough to high over southeast and adjoining eastcentral Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea from May 10-11. It is likely to be high to very high over eastcentral Bay of Bengal and very rough to high adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea from May 12.

Fishermen, small ships, boats and trawlers are advised not to venture into southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of Andaman Sea from May 8 onwards and into southeast & adjoining central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea from May 9 onwards.

Squally weather/strong surface winds and heavy rainfall activity is likely over Andaman and Nicobar Islands during May 8-12 May.