Mocha likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar’s north coast by Sunday evening

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in a special bulletin on Sunday said the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha- over east central Bay and adjoining area - is likely to intensify further, move in a north-northwesterly direction and cross Cox's Bazar-Myanmar's north coast by 6 pm on Sunday.

Cox's Bazar and adjoining coastal areas will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm by this evening, said the special bulletin of the Met Office.

At 12 am today, it was centred about 865 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 795 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 830 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 795 km south-southwest of Payra port.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 74 km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 150 kph, rising to 170 kph, in gusts or squalls.

Maritime ports of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram have been advised to keep the great danger signal 8 hoisted while maritime ports of Mongla and Payra have been advised to keep local warning signal 4 hoisted.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge - 8-12 feet above normal tide.

Under the peripheral effect of very severe cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 05-07 feet above normal astronomical tide.

Under the effect of very severe cyclone, Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions are likely to be experienced of the heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy rainfall (89 mm). Due to very heavy rainfall landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Chattogram.

All fishing boats and trawlers over north Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.

Source: BSS