AMN
Cyclone Mocha has intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. As per Indian Meteorological Department’s Friday morning bulletin, the cyclone lay centred about 1030 kilometres south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port in Bangladesh at 3 a.m.
It is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and cross Southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar around Sunday noon. The Storm will have a maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has advised the maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Mongla and Payra to keep hoisted the distant cautionary signal number 2. Coastal areas of Bangladesh are preparing to face Mocha with cyclone shelters being prepared, control centres operationalised by the district administration in all upazilas of Cox’s Bazar and provision of emergency food made for the people. The government has put the army, navy and coast guard on alert to deal with any situation arising due to the cyclone.