Cyclone Mocha intensifies into very severe cyclonic storm. What you need to know
Cyclone Mocha is expected to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm on Friday and cause heavy rainfall in the northeastern states and Andaman and Nicobar islands. Photo: Twitter/@indiametsky
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday (May 12) said that Cyclone Mocha has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the Bay of Bengal and is heading towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast.
“The SCS Mocha lay centered at 0230 hours IST of 12th May 2023 over Southeast adjoining Central Bay of Bengal about 520 km of west-northwest of Port Blair,” the IMD tweeted.
Severe cyclonic storm mocha over bay of bengal #cyclone #bayofbengal #imd #mocha #Storm@DDNewslive @airnewsalerts @moesgoi @ndmaindia pic.twitter.com/cSo2cVoXNz
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 12, 2023
Very severe cyclone
IMD scientist Umashankar Das earlier today said that the cyclone Mocha has intensified into a very severe cyclone over the South-East Bay of Bengal adjoining with central Bay of Bengal region. “Now, its moving with a speed of 9km per hour towards north direction,” Das said to news agency ANI.
The weather office said the cyclone will further intensify on Friday and re-curve north-northeastwards for a Sunday landfall between Cox's Bazaar and Kyaukpyu, close to port city Sittwe in Myanmar, packing winds of 175 kmph.
#WATCH | Odisha: "Cyclone Mocha has intensified further into a very severe cyclone storm over the South-East Bay of Bengal adjoining with central Bay of Bengal region. Now it is moving with a speed of 9km per hour towards north direction...": Umashankar Das, IMD Scientist,… pic.twitter.com/A9nYnSV9DK
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2023
The northeastern states of Tripura and Mizoram are expected to get heavy rainfall from Saturday. Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam are expected to get heavy rainfall on Sunday.
IMD issues alert
The weather office has asked fishermen, ships, boats, and trawlers not to venture into central and northeast Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea till Sunday. Those sailing in central Bay of Bengal and the north Andaman Sea have been advised to return to the coast.
The IMD predicted a storm surge of 1.5-2 metres for the low-lying coastal region of Bangladesh near Cox's Bazaar.
Under the influence of the weather system, Tripura and Mizoram are likely to get heavy rainfall from Saturday onwards. Nagaland, Manipur, and south Assam are expected to get rainfall at many places on Sunday, reported PTI.
What are the preparations?
The NDRF team has deployed 8 teams while 200 rescuers have been put on ground and 100 rescuers are on standby.
On Wednesday, the Indian Coast Guard had also issued warning to the fishermen advising them not to venture into the sea.
The weather agency on Thursday had also issued warning for the northeastern states and Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the view of cyclonic storm Mocha, saying that these regions will receive heavy rainfall.
The name Mocha
The name Mocha is derived from the Yemeni port of Mokha, which was a port well known for its coffee trade from the 15th to 17th century. Mocha port once became synonymous with the trade of Yemeni coffee and played a crucial role in establishing coffee's global popularity.
Weather forecasters give each tropical cyclone a name, to avoid confusion.