The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Mocha" intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm, and lay centered at 05:30 hours IST of May 12, 2023, over Central adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 13.2N and longitude 88.1 East, about 520 km west-northwest of Port Blair, the India Meteorological Department informed on Friday.
Gurminder Singh, Commandant, Second Battalion, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said that "We've deployed eight teams. 200 rescuers of NDRF deployed on the ground and 100 rescuers on standby."
NDRF Kolkata has deployed 8 SAR Teams in the three most vulnerable districts of West Bengal in response to the upcoming Cyclone "Mocha", a tweet by the NDRF's Second Battalion read.
The cyclone, named Mocha by Yemen -- pronounced as 'Mokha', is likely to bring heavy rainfall to the Andaman island chain.
According to the IMD, the storm would reach its peak intensity on the evening of May 13. 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.
Meanwhile, the fishermen of the Andaman and Nicobar coasts have been advised not to venture into the sea till May 13.
A notification was also issued by the Directorate of Shipping Services in Port Blair 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."
Passengers and tourists can also get update/status of the vessels from the Information Counter at Phoenix Bay by dialling phone number 03192 – 245555/232714, Toll Free Number 18003452714, it added.