Cyclone Mocha to Hit Bangladesh-Myanmar Coast as Severe Cyclonic Storm on May 14, IMD Issues Warning for Coastal Area

Cyclone Mocha: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) released a weather update on Wednesday saying that the deep depression in the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to shift north-northwestwards, intensifying to become a cyclonic storm. It was located around 540 km west-southwest of Port Blair, the capital city of Andaman-Nicobar Islands, and 1350 km south-southwest of Sittwe in Myanmar. This is the latest update from the location as of May 11.

The Deep Depression is expected to intensify into a Cyclonic Storm by evening on Thursday, with wind speeds of 63-88 kmph. Cyclone Mocha would have a wind speed of 89-117 kmph by May 13.

On May 14, Cyclone Mocha is expected to make landfall over southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts, between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) as a Severe Cyclonic Storm, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph and gusts up to 130 kmph.

As the cyclone edges closer to India’s northeastern coast, it will trigger heavy to very heavy rains over Northeast India on May 13-14. In the meantime, heavy to very heavy rains between 64.5 mm and 204 mm are expected to continue to fall across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands until May 13, followed by just heavy showers on May 14.

The IMD has advised fisherfolk not to venture into the waters, and all offshore activities in the region have been suspended while the cyclone’s impact persists. Sea conditions all over the Bay of Bengal will remain rough to very rough, as Cyclone Mocha approaches.

Authorities in Bangladesh and Myanmar are taking precautions and they have issued a warning to coastal districts to prepare for the cyclone. Myanmar has also taken precautionary measures, such as evacuating people living in low-lying areas and suspending operations of small boats and ferries in the Bay of Bengal.

Cyclones are not uncommon in the Bay of Bengal, the region faces frequent cyclones from April to December. The last major cyclone to hit the region was Cyclone Yaas in May 2021, which caused significant damage in eastern India and Bangladesh.