GUWAHATI: A deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, named "Mocha" and pronounced as "Mokha," according to the latest bulletin from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
“As of 0530 hours IST on 11th May 2023, the storm lay centred near latitude 11.2°N and longitude 88.1°E, about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1210 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh), and 1120 km south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar),” read the IMD release.
The storm is expected to move north-northwestwards and gradually intensify into a severe cyclonic storm around midnight on May 11. It is then likely to recurve gradually and move north-northeastwards from the morning of May 12, intensifying further into a very severe cyclonic storm around the evening of May 13 over the central Bay of Bengal. It would reach its peak intensity around the evening of May 13, stated IMD release.
After that, the cyclonic storm is expected to weaken slightly from the morning of May 14 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 speeds of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.
The Indian Meteorological Department has advised fishermen not to venture into the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas during the next few days. It has also warned of storm surges of up to 2 meters above astronomical tide, which could inundate low-lying areas of southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts.
Residents in these areas have also been advised to stay indoors and keep an eye on weather updates from official sources.
The Indian Meteorological Department has assured that it is closely monitoring the situation and will issue further updates as and when necessary.
Rainfall at many places with Heavy rainfall at isolated places has been predicted on May 14 in Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam. Whereas, rainfall has been predicted at most places in Tripura and Mizoram with Heavy rainfall at isolated places likely to occur on May 13 and heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on May 14.
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