Cyclone Mocha Update: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed eight teams and 200 rescuers in West Bengal’s Digha after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that Cyclone Mocha would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm.
According to the IMD, the severe cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’ is set to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Friday and move towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast. The weather forecasting agency has also predicted cyclone ‘Mocha’ to intensify into a severe cyclone by May 14.
“The SCS “Mocha” at 0230 hrs IST on 12 May 2023 lay centered over southeast adjoining central Bay of Bengal, about 520 km west-northwest of Port Blair,” the IMD said in a tweet in the early hours of Friday. “
Cyclone Mocha to turn into very severe cyclone on May 14
“As per the predictions, cyclone Mocha will intensify into a severe storm on May 12 and a very severe cyclone on May 14,” said Gurminder Singh, commandant of NDRF’s second battalion. “We have deployed 8 teams. 200 NDRF rescue teams are on the ground and 100 rescuers are ready,” Singh said.
Sanjeev Dwivedi, Senior Scientist, IMD, Bhubaneswar also predicted that the cyclonic storm is mild to severe and will intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over central Bay of Bengal by May 12 evening. “The cyclonic storm is very likely to recurve and on May 12 evening, it will intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm over central Bay of Bengal. It will take peak intensity on May 13. The system is under constant watch.” Dwivedi.
Mocha will recurve to the north-northeast for Sunday’s landfall
The weather office said Cyclone Mocha (pronounced Mokha) would further intensify on Friday and re-curve north-northeast for landfall on Sunday between Cox’s Bazar and Kyawkpyu, close to the port city of Sittwe in Myanmar, with sustained winds of 175 kmph. Winds will blow at the speed of an hour.
Due to the weather conditions, the northeastern states of Tripura and Mizoram are likely to receive heavy rainfall from Saturday. At the same time, it is expected to rain in Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam on Sunday.
IMD advisory for fishermen
The IMD has asked fishermen, vessels, boats and trawlers not to venture into central and northeast Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea till Sunday. Those sailing in the central Bay of Bengal and North Andaman Sea are advised to return to the coast.
The IMD predicted a storm surge of 1.5-2 meters for the low-lying coastal area of Bangladesh near Cox’s Bazar.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said people need not fear the cyclone as the state government is prepared to handle the situation. CM Banerjee had said, “There is no need to fear the cyclone. If different circumstances arise, we will rescue people from the coastal areas, as the cyclone will move towards Bangladesh and Myanmar.”
cyclone mocha
The cyclone has been named Mocha (Mokha), a name suggested by Yemen after the Red Sea port city known for having introduced coffee to the world 500 years ago. The weather office has suggested regulation of tourism and offshore activities and shipping in and around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and in the sea areas of southeast and central Bay of Bengal till Friday (May 12).
ALSO READ: Cyclone Mocha: Deep depression over Bay of Bengal, likely to reach its peak on May 13
ALSO READ: Cyclone Mocha may turn into severe storm by midnight, alerts IMD | Description