Kolkata: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported in a bulletin on Thursday morning that the deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal has strengthened into cyclonic storm Mocha.
"The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 8 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a cyclonic storm "Mocha" pronounced as "Mokha" and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of 11th May 2023 over the same region 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)," an official statement said.
The IMD added that Mocha will become a severe cyclonic storm and that its peak intensity will occur on May 13. Around midnight, it is quite likely to continue in a north-northwesterly direction and gradually strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm. After that, it is predicted to slowly turn around, move north-northeastward starting on May 12 in the morning, and then build into a very severe cyclonic storm that same evening over the central Bay of Bengal. Around May 13 evening, it will reach its greatest strength, as per the release.
"Thereafter, it is likely to weaken slightly from May 14 morning and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) around the forenoon of May 14, 2023, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph," it added.
Earlier, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a warning for cyclonic storm Mocha, prompting the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to officially declare that all of its units have been placed on high alert.
According to the statement, the ICG is prepared to respond to the cyclone as predicted by the IMD, and the fisheries and civil administration have been updated.
Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, stated on Monday that residents need not be afraid of the storm since the state is prepared to handle the situation.
No need to worry about the cyclone. As the cyclone moves towards Bangladesh and Myanmar, if different conditions arise, we will rescue people from coastal areas, said CM Banerjee.
Heavy rains likely in Kerala till May 10, Yellow Alerts in many districts
