by Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Bangladesh is preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Mocha (pronounced as ‘Mokha’), a powerful storm-force wind gust of up to 175 kilometers per hour (109 mph). moved towards the coasts of eastern Bangladesh and Myanmar,
Thousands of people from both countries have fled to safer areas even before the storm.
According to the meteorological forecast, the cyclonic storm “is very likely to move northeastwards and cross southeast Bangladesh and northern Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyawpyu (Myanmar) around noon of May 14″. around Sittu (Myanmar).” ,
However, meteorologists do not see any danger of it becoming a ‘super cyclone’, while it has already intensified. When the wind speed exceeds 220 kmph, a cyclone is called a ‘super cyclone’.
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According to the information received, the maximum wind speed of cyclonic storm Mocha in the Bay of Bengal can reach up to 200 kmph.
Mo. Abul Kalam Mallick said that it (Cyclone Mocha) is as powerful as Cyclone Sidor, which killed at least 3,500 people when it hit Bangladesh in 2007. “It is moving towards the coast with almost the same speed as Sidor. But the difference is that Sidor passed through Bangladesh, Mocha is passing through there.
thousands flee to shelters
As meteorologists warned that the path of cyclonic storm Mocha was likely to affect Bangladesh’s southeastern border district of Cox’s Bazar, authorities in Bangladesh swung into action. The Bangladesh government launched a massive evacuation operation, relocating close to half a million people along the southeastern coastlines. More than one lakh Rohingya refugees live in Cox’s Bazar.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, “Cyclone ‘Mocha’ is coming. We have made all kinds of preparations to deal with it.”
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In Bangladesh, Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a government official responsible for refugees, said: “We are focusing on saving lives… People who are at risk of landslides will be evacuated.”
“Thousands of community workers and volunteers were already deployed along with medical and rescue personnel who are on stand-by,” he said.
Netai Chandra Dey Sarkar of Bangladesh’s disaster management department said authorities have made arrangements to evacuate 500,000 people along the storm’s path.
Signal number 10 hoisted at Cox’s Bazar port
Warning signal number 10 has been hoisted at Cox’s Bazar harbour. Meanwhile, the sea is warming and the water level is rising.
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Around 42,000 people have been evacuated to safe shelters with over 1,000 shelters including schools and colleges in Cox’s Bazar district.
Local MP Saim Sarwar Kamal said that 100 beds have been allotted at the district headquarters hospital to deal with emergencies. “The district administration along with the forest department is trying to evacuate people living at the foot of the hill. About 5,000 people and livestock have taken shelter in 37 shelters in Sabrang and St. Martin in Teknaf.
Around 5,000 trawlers who went out to sea have returned safely to the island. Earlier, last Friday night, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong ports were asked to display distress signal number 8 and Payra and Mongla ports were asked to display local warning number 4. Sea until further instructions.
Bangladesh Navy ready for rescue operations
Bangladesh Navy is ready to carry out rescue operations, medical and relief operations in the coastal areas as soon as possible after Cyclone Mokha hits the country.
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The Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) informed that 21 naval ships, naval crew, helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft are ready with relief material.
After the cyclone passes, the naval personnel will start the search operation in the sea and coastal areas through MPAs and helicopters. Thereafter, based on the information provided by the MPA and helicopters, the ships and teams would conduct search and rescue operations in the Bay of Bengal.
Banauja Samudra Joy and Banauja Dhaleshwari are ready at Cox’s Bazar for rescue operations in the first phase.
Additional naval ships and troops, if required, will be deployed in the second phase after monitoring the intensity of the storm and incidence of injuries. At present, members of the Navy are issuing warning messages to people living in the coastal areas of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and St. Martin to move to shelters.
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