Cyclone Mocha Likely To Change Course And Move Towards Myanmar-Bangladesh Coast
A low-pressure area formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal is gradually intensifying into a cyclone and is expected to hit the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast in the next two days.
A low-pressure area that formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on Monday (May 8) is gradually intensifying into a cyclone and moving towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast, news agency PTI reported citing a weather service official. According to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of India Meteorological Department, the low-pressure area is expected to consolidate into a depression by Tuesday evening and then intensify into a cyclonic storm the next day.
According to the IMD, the circulation intensified into a low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal bordering the Andaman Sea at around 8.30 am today. According to preliminary forecasts, the storm will rapidly intensify, becoming a depression by Tuesday (May 9) and then a cyclonic storm by Wednesday (May 10).
A low pressure area has formed over SE BOB & adjoining South Andaman Sea at 0830 IST of today. Likely to intensify into a depression on 9th May over the same region and further into a CS over SE BOB and adjoining areas of EC BOB and Andaman Sea on 10th May. pic.twitter.com/aqkvaRDjpx
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 8, 2023
The Met department has also asked fishermen, ships, trawlers, and small boats not to venture into the south-east Bay of Bengal and urged those in the region to return to the coast.
The cyclone will be named Mocha (Mokha), after the Red Sea port city that is credited with introducing coffee to the world over 500 years ago.
Informing about the movement of the cyclone, Mohapatra said: "The cyclonic storm will move initially north-northwest to the central Bay of Bengal till May 11 and then re-curve and move north-northeast towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coast," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
READ | Cyclone Mocha To Form Over Bay Of Bengal On May 10, Lanfall Likely On May 13-14
On Tuesday, squally winds reaching 50-60 kmph with gusts up to 70 kmph over the southeast Bay of Bengal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the adjoining Andaman Sea.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall and Squally winds over Andaman & Nicobar Islands during 08th to 12th May pic.twitter.com/Adnqc8nU1w
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 7, 2023
According to Mohapatra, the weather system will bring very heavy rain to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday.
The weather service has recommended that tourism, offshore activities, and shipping be restricted near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as over the sea areas of the southeast and central Bay of Bengal, until Friday.
IN PICS | Cyclone Mocha Will Affect Parts Of West Bengal, Odisha This Week, IMD Says
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