On May 12, 2023, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that Cyclone Mocha would transform into a severe cyclonic storm over the central and south-eastern Bay of Bengal.
The weather department further warned that the cyclone will likely move northwards and northeastwards with further intensification.
It is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox Bazaar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukphyu in Myanmar, close to the Sittwe port around noon of May 14, 2023, as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum speeds reaching 150-160 kmph and gusting to 175 kmph said IMD.
Concerning the incoming cyclone, eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in West Bengal.
According to Gurminder Singh, the commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the NDRF said “Cyclone Mocha will convert into a severe storm on May 12, 2023, and a very severe cyclone on May 14, as per predictions. We have deployed eight teams, 200 NDRF rescuers and a hundred rescuers on standby.”
On May 11, 2023, the weather department issued rainfall alerts for several northeastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the view of the cyclonic storm Mocha. These areas will receive heavy rainfall due to the cyclone’s movement over the central Bay of Bengal.
The cyclone ‘Mocha’, which got its nomenclature from a small town in Yemen called “Mocha” has a maximum wind speed of 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph as per the IMD.
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