Cyclone Mocha: In its latest bulletin, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that ‘Cyclone Mocha’ is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Wednesday, May 10. It also said that a low-pressure area has formed over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea. An area of low pressure was marked on Tuesday.
“The low-pressure area over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea intensified into a well-marked low-pressure area at 0530 IST today, 9 May 2023,” said an official statement. It further said that Cyclone Mocha is very likely to turn into a depression by today evening (May 9) over the same region.
What did IMD say in its bulletin?
“It is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of east central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea on May 10. Initially likely to move north-northwestwards till morning of May 12. It is very likely to recede slowly thereafter. And move north-northeastwards towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts,” the statement said.
Earlier on Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that people need not fear the cyclone as the state government is prepared to handle the situation. “There is nothing to panic about Cyclone Mocha. It may not make landfall in West Bengal. But the state’s coastal areas have been asked to be on alert. As a precautionary measure, heavy rain in Sundarbans and Digha on May 10 and 11 Alert has been issued. Measure,” he said.
Read also: Storm over Southeast Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into Cyclone Mocha; IMD issued a warning
About 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).
(with inputs from agencies)