Cyclone Mocha: Thousands Evacuated In Bangladesh, Civil Defence Team Deployed In Bengal Amid Landfall Concerns

Over half a million evacuated in Bangladesh and the warning continues in Bengal as cyclone Mocha is likely to make landfall on the Bangladesh coast turning into an extremely severe cyclonic storm.

Storm in Port Blair during cyclone Mocha.

Source : PTI

Thousands have been evacuated in neighbouring Bangladesh as Cyclone Mocha is set to make landfall in the country on Sunday noon as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 180-190 Kmph gusting to 210 Kmph. According to the India Meteorological Department, cyclone Mocha lay centered over the East-central Bay of Bengal early Sunday morning.  

“It is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) around noon of 14th May,” the weatherman said in its official bulletin. 

ESCS Mocha lay centered at 2330 hrs IST of 13th May 2023 over Eastcentral BoB near lat 17.9N & long 91.0E. Its likely to cross southeast Bangladesh & north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) & Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) around noon of 14th May. pic.twitter.com/FfIJzOnSkx

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 13, 2023

Amid the latest developments, the NDRF conducted a warning campaign in Hingalganj, Hasnabad, and Sandeshkhali areas along the Bangladesh border of North 24-Parganas in West Bengal on Saturday.  

West Bengal | NDRF conducts a warning campaign in Hingalganj, Hasnabad, and Sandeshkhali areas along the Bangladesh border of North 24-Parganas amid #CycloneMocha intensifies into cyclonic storm pic.twitter.com/xZWiF2QQ8x

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2023

The Civil Defence teams have been deployed at Bakkhali Sea Beach in South 24 Parganas and they alerted the public. "The condition is not good. We are continuously alerting the public and tourists to be alert and avoid coming to the beach," says Anmol Das, Civil Defence Official, as reported by ANI. 

"The condition is not good. We are continuously alerting the public and tourists to be alert and avoid coming to the beach," Anmol Das, a civil defence official said.

Meanwhile, authorities in Bangladesh on Saturday launched a massive evacuation campaign to relocate close to half a million people along the southeastern coastlines. The action was taken due to cyclone Mocha which is threatening the Rohingya refugee camp, the world's largest, as reported by PTI. 

West Bengal | The Civil Defence team deployed at Bakkhali Sea Beach in South 24 Parganas alerts the public as #CycloneMocha intensifies into an extremely severe cyclonic storm

"The condition is not good. We are continuously alerting the public and tourists to be alert and avoid… pic.twitter.com/yhL4L8Ku7T

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2023

Cyclone Mocha is one of the most powerful cyclones seen in Bangladesh in nearly two decades It is likely to barrel towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar border on Sunday.  

“Cyclone 'Mocha' is coming. We have kept the cyclone centres and taken all types of preparations to tackle it,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, as quoted by PTI. 

The report stated that the evacuation drive was taken as the maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been advised to hoist danger signal no 10 as Cyclone Mocha is likely to intensify further and move in a north-north-westerly direction.  

“The district administration has turned social, educational, and religious institutions as makeshift shelters alongside 576 designated cyclone shelters in Cox's Bazar to accommodate over half a million people, deputy commissioner or administrative chief of the coastal district,” Muhammad Shahin Imran told reporters, quoted PTI. 

He said that around 8,600 Red Crescent volunteers have joined a campaign asking people to relocate even as the district administration has mobilised transport to carry them to shelters. Bangladesh's Met Office in its latest special weather bulletin said “Cyclone Mocha” continued to move to the north-northwest packing winds up to 175 kilometres per hour.