The India Meteorological Department said the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclone storm Mocha. The weather office has predicted that it is expected to intensify into a severe cyclone by midnight today, as reported by the news agency ANI. “Deep Depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm 'Mocha' and lay centered about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1210 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. It is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight today,” IMD said.
It is likely to weaken slightly from the morning of May 14, and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox's Bazar and Kyaukpyu with a maximum sustained wind speed of 120-130 kmph, gusting to 145 kmph, the IMD said. Meanwhile, the fishermen of Andaman and Nicobar coasts were advised not to venture into the sea till May 13.
Due to the cyclonic weather and in view of safety of passengers and vessels, the Directorate of Shipping Services in Port Blair has issued a notification which said, "It has been informed that Foreshore Sector and Harbour/Vehicle ferry services at Port Blair and out stations may get disrupted/suspended in short notice depending upon the weather condition. Therefore, the passengers, daily commuters and tourists have been advised to plan their journey suitably to avoid any inconvenience."
The cyclonic storm which has been named 'Mocha' is likely to cause heavy rainfall till May 12 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The name 'Mocha' has been suggested by Yemen after the Red Sea port city. The Emergency Operation Centres are working round the clock to handle any natural calamities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.