The Indian Meteorological Department has said that Cyclone Mocha has intensified into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm and will cross Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts on Sunday noon. The storm is likely to make a landfall between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar).
Ahead of its landfall, Bangladesh has already ordered people living on the southeastern coastlines to evacuate. This comes as Bangladesh's Met office released its latest special weather bulletin asking the maritime ports of southeastern Chattogram and Cox's Bazar to hoist great danger signal number 8.
The "very dangerous" cyclonic storm is moving to the north-northwest, packing winds up to 180-190 kilometres per hour. The storm is expected to cause disastrous winds, extreme surge and rainfall and freshwater flood threat in areas near the landfall zone. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, a storm surge of 2-2.5 metres over the weekend was likely to inundate low-lying areas of North Myanmar and Bangladesh.
"It's a very dangerous cyclone and...it's associated with violent winds...There will be major impacts both ahead and after landfall for potentially hundreds of thousands of the world's most vulnerable people," WMO spokesman Clare Nullis told a press briefing in Geneva.
Refugee camps
The arrival of the storm has spread panic in Cox's Bazar where over a million Rohingya refugees live. Thousands of people displaced by the ongoing war in Myanmar live here in bamboo, tin and polythene sheets that are vulnerable to strong winds, rain, and landslides.
However, Bangladesh Disaster Management Ministry said over 1,500 cyclone centres have been set up to evacuate 500,000 people in the two districts. "We're focussing on the efforts to ensure adequate food, safe shelter and special care for women, children and the elderly," the ministry's spokesperson said.
UN refugee agency spokesperson Olga Sarrado said preparations were underway for a partial evacuation of the Rohingya refugee camp if needed. The agency was also preparing tens of thousands of hot meals and jerrycans, she said.
Thunderstorms in Bengal
Weather experts have forecast that the Bengal coast may receive one or two spells of thunderstorms between May 17 and 22, though Cyclone Mocha may have little impact on the Indian coasts.
The cyclone may clear up the Bay of Bengal, thereby allowing moisture to enter various districts of Bengal. including Kolkata. This may cause one or two thunderstorms.
"Now that the cyclone is approaching the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, ready to make landfall, the Bay is finally clear of any major weather system. While the cyclone was brewing, moisture was prevented from entering the coast. Now the accumulated moisture will be able to enter the Bengal coast and result in at least one or two spells of thunderstorms between May 17 and 22," Regional Meteorological Centre director G K Das told reporters.
