Cyclone Mocha highlights: Storm ‘very severe’; Bangladesh, Myanmar plan massive evacuation

Scientists on Friday said that cyclonic storms in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea are becoming more intense and lasting longer due to climate change.

Families in western Myanmar left their homes to seek shelter and higher ground as ‘very dangerous’ cyclone Mocha braces for landfall.

Clyclone Mocha is expected to make a landfall in Bangladesh on Sunday. While a direct hit is not expected, it will affect Bangladesh's southeastern border district of Cox's Bazar where a million Rohingya refugees live.

Cyclone Mocha could trigger possible landslides in Bangladesh that could hit the world's biggest refugee camp.

IMD director general M Mohapatra said dry and continental winds were blowing over the entire east India in the direction of Cyclone Mocha. “We are expecting rains in northeastern states on May 13 and 14 and strong winds,” said Mohapatra.

The weather agency tweeted that cyclone Mocha is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu(Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) around noon of 14th May, 2023 as a ‘very severe’ cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph.

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.

World Meteorological Organization said Friday that cyclone Mocha had intensified very quickly and warned of ‘big humanitarian impacts’ when it makes landfall in Myanmar and Bangladesh on Sunday.

Authorities in Bangladesh and Myanmar prepared to evacuate hundreds of thousands of people Friday as the cyclone Mocha braces for landfall in the next two days.

West Bengal government has taken precautionary measures to combat possible devastation by Cyclone Mocha and has shifted residents of low lying and coastal areas of the state to safe shelters, an official said on Friday.

“This is the first cyclone system in the north Indian Ocean this year," Rajendra Kumar Jenamani, a senior scientist at the Indian Meteorological Department told PTI. “The cyclone is severe and will likely affect millions of fishers and coastal communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar."

Evacuation of nearly 5,00,000 people is expected to start Saturday with 576 cyclone shelters ready to provide refuge to those moved from their homes along a vast coast, said Bangladesh government administrator Muhammad Shaheen Imran, PTI reported.

Shipping and offshore industries are likely to be impacted due to the very rough to phenomenal sea ( 9-14 m wave height). IMD has recommended regulation of tourism and offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands until Saturday. It has advised regulation of shipping activity in the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea until Sunday.

IMD has warned of minor damage to loose/unsecured structures, uprooting of small trees and breaking of tree branches, the possibility of landslides in vulnerable areas, and damage to small trees such as bananas in Mizoram, Tripura, and South Manipur. Read in detail

Thailand will hold a crucial election on Sunday, amid the meteorological department's prediction of persistent rain across the country as a result of Cyclone Mocha.

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.

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.

1. Stay informed. Follow the instructions of local authorities.
2. Evacuate if necessary. If you live in a coastal area or low-lying area, be prepared to evacuate if ordered to do so.
3. Secure your home. Board up windows and doors, and secure loose objects that could become projectiles in strong winds.
4. Have a plan. Know where you will go and what you will do if you lose power or water. Have a supply of food, water, and other essentials on hand.
5. Stay safe. If you must go outside, be aware of your surroundings and take shelter from strong winds and flying debris.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has also released an official statement stating that its personnel have been placed on high alert in response to the IMD's cyclonic storm Mocha warning. 

According to the statement, the ICG is prepared to respond to the cyclonic storm as indicated by the IMD, and the update has been communicated with the fisheries and civil administration.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 8 teams and 200 rescuers in West Bengal's Digha after warnings about cyclone 'Mocha' of intensifying into a severe storm.