Cyclone Mocha: Deep depression forms in Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh on alert
The Indian Meteorological Department said that Cyclone Mocha forming over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a very severe storm by Friday, May 12 where wind speeds can reach 130 kmph. The well-marked low-pressure area concentrated into a depression on Tuesday evening packing wind speeds of 45 to 55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph over the south-east Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department said....Read More
It said the weather system was expected to intensify into a deep depression by 5.30 am on Wednesday and turn into Cyclone Mocha in the next 12 hours, packing wind speeds of 80-90 kmph and gusting to 100 kmph.
The system is expected to move initially north-north westwards till May 12 morning and later towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts, the weather office said.
Cyclone Mocha updates: 'Deep Depression near Port Blair expected to become cyclonic storm tonight'
The India Meteorological Department tweeted, "Deep Depression lay centered near 10.0 N and 88.4 E, about 510 km west-southwest of port Blair, 1320 km south-southwest of Cox’s bazaar (Bangladesh) at 1730 hrs IST of today the 10th May. To intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm by tonight."
'Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh's Cox’s Bazar face a greater risk of landslide'
The state minister for disaster management and relief Enamur Rahman said, “Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar face a greater risk of landslide due to rain and high speed wind. Preparations for their safety have been made,” DD News reported.
Bangladesh has put the army, navy and coast guard on alert
The state minister for disaster management and relief Enamur Rahman said that like previous years, the government has put the army, navy and coast guard on alert to deal with any situation arising due to the cyclone. He said preparations have been taken in case the cyclone changes direction. All the concerned people have been alerted, reported DD News.
What to do if caught in cyclone?
Leave early before your way to high ground or shelter gets flooded
Do not delay and run the risk of being marooned
If your house is securely built on high ground take shelter in the safe part of the house. However, if asked to evacuate do not hesitate to leave the place.
Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place.
Provide strong suitable support for outside doors.
If you do not have wooden boards handy, paste paper strips on glasses to prevent splinters. However, this may not avoid breaking windows.
Get extra food, which can be eaten without cooking. Store extra drinking water in suitably covered vessels.
If you have to evacuate the house move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimize flood damage.
Ensure that your hurricane lantern, torches or other emergency lights are in working condition and keep them handy.
Small and loose things, which can fly in strong winds, should be stored safely in a room.
Be sure that a window and door can be opened only on the side opposite to the one facing the wind.
Make provision for children and adults requiring special diet.
If the centre of the cyclone is passing directly over your house there will be a lull in the wind and rain lasting for half an hour or so. During this time do not go out; because immediately after that, very strong winds will blow from the opposite direction.
Switch off the electrical mains in your house.
Remain calm.
In case you missed: Mamata Banerjee assures full preparation
On Monday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said "There is no need to fear the cyclone. If need be, we will shift people from coastal areas. The forecast suggests that the cyclone will move to Bangladesh and, thereafter, towards Myanmar," ANI reported.
If you area is under cyclone alert, follow these guidelines
Keep monitoring the warnings. This will help you prepare for a cyclone emergency.
Pass the information to others.
Ignore rumours and do not spread them; this will help to avoid panic situations.
Believe in the official information
When a cyclone alert is on for your area continue normal working but stay alert to the radio warnings.
Stay alert for the next 24 hours as a cyclone alert means that the danger is within 24 hours.
Indian embassy in Myanmar issues advisory for the citizens
“The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast that Cyclone Mocha is likely to make landfall off Myanmar Coast at about 1200 Hr (local time) on 14 May 2023. Wind speeds in excess of 110 kmph accompanied by heavy rains are likely to be encountered prior/ during this period,” read the embassy statement.
Deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal
The meteorological department updated, “The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards with a speed of 07 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 0830 hours IST of today, the 10th May 2023 over the same region near latitude 8.8°N and longitude 88.9°E, about 530 km southwest of Port Blair, 1430 km souds of Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) and 1320 km south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar).”
In case you missed: Here's how Cyclone Mocha got its name
The Cyclone Mocha (Mokha) - a name suggested by Yemen - was named after the Red Sea port city which is known to have introduced coffee to the world over 500 years ago.
Nomenclature of cyclones
Cyclones are named depending on the regional rules.
The system of naming cyclones was adopted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and member countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (ESCAP). According to the WMO, in the Atlantic and in the Southern Hemisphere (Indian Ocean and South Pacific), tropical cyclones receive names in alphabetical order, and women's and men's names are alternated, while in the Northern Indian Ocean, the names are listed alphabetically by country and are gender-neutral.
Departure of ‘Nalanda’ vessel delayed
The scheduled departure of the vessel 'Nalanda' from Chennai to Port Blair via Campbell Bay and Nancowry on May 10 has been postponed until further notice. Passengers can get update and status of the vessel from the information counter at Phoenix Bay here. A dedicated phone service - number 03192-245555/232714, toll free number 18003452714 and Chennai counter phone number 044 – 25226873 has been set up, officials told PTI.
How a ‘system’ becomes a ‘cyclonic storm’
A system is categorised as a Cyclonic Storm when its 3-minute average maximum sustained wind speeds fall between 63-88 kmph, as per IMD
Cyclonic storm to weaken from Saturday
The cyclonic storm is likely to re-curve gradually, move north-northeastwards and weaken slightly from May 13 and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) around the forenoon of May 14, with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph, the IMD added.
IMD predicts ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ by Friday
Continuing to move north-northwestwards, the weather office said the system will gradually intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by May 11 morning and a very severe cyclonic storm by May 12 morning over southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal.
IMD shares update on deep depression over Bay of Bengal
The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 5 kmph and lay centred at about 540 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1,460 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) and 1,350 km south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar), IMD said in a bulletin.
"It is very likely to move northwestwards for some time and then north-northwestwards and intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm over the same region around today evening," the IMD said.
Cyclone Mocha's impact on Jharkhand
Jharkhand sizzled as temperatures hovered around 40 degrees Celsius in most parts of the state, PTI quoted a weather official on Wednesday.
The heat condition is likely to remain the same for the next three to four days, following which mercury may dip by two to four degrees Celsius due to slight impact of Cyclone Mocha forming over the Bay of Bengal, he said.
The state may not see much impact of the cyclone, except cloudy skies and light rain in some parts, said Abhishek Anand, in-charge of Ranchi Meteorological Centre.
As per IMD, the depression over southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression.
Bengal CM Mamata on cyclone preparedness
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that people do not need to fear the cyclone as the state government is equipped to handle the situation.
"If there come different circumstances, we will rescue people from coastal areas as the cyclone will move to Bangladesh and then Myanmar," CM Banerjee said.
On atmospheric conditions in Bay of Bengal, climate scientist says…
“The sea surface temperatures (SSTs) near Myanmar are as high as the rest of the Bay around 30-32 degree C, which is 1-2 degree C above normal. The subsurface conditions are also warm, but not as warm as central Bay,” said Roxy Mathew Koll, climate scientist at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. “Both ocean and atmospheric conditions over the Bay of Bengal are favourable for cyclone development. The ocean surface temperatures are anomalously warm by 1-2 degrees Celsius and the subsurface heat is also sufficient to provide a constant supply of heat and moisture for cyclone formation and intensification,” Koll added.
Andaman administration alerts people
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has alerted people as the cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal was likely intensify from late Tuesday night. A well-marked low-pressure area now lies over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea.
Rainfall predicted in northeast
Rainfall is likely at most places of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places is likely during May 9 to 11. India's northeast is expected to record heavy rainfall during the weekend due to the impact of Mocha. Tripura and Mizoram are expected to record heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 13 and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 14. Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam will also record heavy rain on Sunday.
IMD advisory for tourism activities
IMD has advised regulation of tourism and offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands during May 9 to 12 and regulation of shipping activity over the sea areas of southeast and central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea during May 9 to 13.
Will Cyclone Mocha affect Indian coast?
Cyclone Mocha will not impact the Indian coast but is expected to cross southeast Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts on Sunday.
“The tropical cyclone heat potential which provides energy to the cyclone is high near the Myanmar coast and Bay of Bengal is considerably warm with sea surface temperatures of over 30 degree C over most parts of the ocean. Conditions are favourable for intensification of this cyclone which is why most models are showing that it will become a very severe cyclonic storm,” according to an IMD official.
Advisory for fishermen
Fishermen, small ships, boats and trawlers are advised not to venture into southeast and central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea from Tuesday onwards. Those over central Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea are advised to return on Tuesday.
How was Cyclone Mocha named?
The Cyclone Mocha (Mokha) - a name suggested by Yemen - was named after the Red Sea port city which is known to have introduced coffee to the world over 500 years ago. Read more
When and where will Cyclone Mocha make landfall?
"A low-pressure area is likely to intensify into a depression on May 9 over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea and further into a cyclonic storm over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas of East Central Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea on May 10," IMD Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra. said in a statement.
Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph likely southeast Bay of Bengal
Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is likely over southeast Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea on Tuesday, IMD director said.
IMD advices regulation of tourism and offshore activities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The weather office has suggested regulation of tourism and offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands and over the sea areas of southeast and central Bay of Bengal till Friday.
IMD officials urged people not to panic
IMD officials have urged people not to panic about a possible cyclone but remain prepared to face any eventuality.
Sea condition likely to be very rough from May 10 to May 12
The IMD has asked people residing in the coastal areas of Bengal and Andaman islands to shift to safer places as the condition of the sea is likely to be very rough from May 10 to May 12.
Cyclone Mocha: Here's how you can track updates on storm
The weather agency informed that a low-pressure area has already formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining the South Andaman Sea. In view of this, eastern states including Odisha, Andaman, and West Bengal have been put on high alert. As the cyclone is approaching, one must be alert to its progress and updates. Read more
Cyclone Mocha likely to head towards Myanmar coast; no clarity on landfall location
The low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea has become a well marked low pressure area over the same region on Tuesday early morning and it is likely to intensify into a depression by evening and subsequently into Cyclone Mocha, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Read more
Cyclone Mocha
According to the system of naming cyclones, the storm will be called Cyclone Mocha (Mokha), a name suggested by Yemen after the Red Sea port city Mokha, which introduced coffee to the world 500 years ago.
Fishermen advised not to venture into Bay of Bengal
Fishermen and operators of small ships, boats and trawlers are advised not to venture into the southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal from Tuesday.
The storm is likely to move initially north-northwestwards till May 12
The system is expected to move initially north-northwestwards till May 12 morning and later towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts, the weather office said.
Andaman and Nicobar administration alerts people as cyclonic circulation likely to intensify
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has alerted the people as the cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is likely intensify from late on Tuesday night. Read more
IMD says cyclonic formation to gather more strength
It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and intense gradually into a cyclonic storm over the same region around 10 May evening.
Possibilities that cyclone will gather more strength on May 12 before its likely landfall
'Mocha' is likely to cause heavy rainfall in the Bay Islands till May 11 and move north-westwards till May 12. There are possibilities that the cyclone will gather more strength on May 12 before its likely landfall over the Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts around May 14, the IMD said in its statement.
The depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards
The depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards during past 06 hours with a speed of 05 kmph and lay centered at 2330 hours IST on May 9, 2023 over the same region near latitude 8.5°N and longitude 89.3°E, about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1460 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) and 1340 km south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar), IMD said in its bulletin.
Depression in Bay of Bengal set to intensify into cyclone by today
A major storm brewing in the southeast Bay of Bengal has begun gathering steam and is expected to intensify into a cyclone by Wednesday, IMD said.
The well-marked low-pressure area concentrated into a depression on Tuesday evening packing wind speeds of 45 to 55 kmph and gusting to 65 kmph over the south-east Bay of Bengal, the India Meteorological Department said.
