Deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensifies into cyclone Mocha; alerts issued
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Kolkata: The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal moved northwestwards and will intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm overnight over the same region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted on Wednesday.
“The storm is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight. It would reach its peak intensity on the evening of May 13," the IMD said.
The cyclone is named Mocha by Yemen, pronounced as 'Mokha', after the Red Sea port city Mokha, which introduced coffee to the world 500 years ago. Mocha is likely to bring heavy rainfall to the Andaman Island chain, they said.
At 8.30 am, the cyclonic storm was about 510 km southwest of Port Blair, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
In the wake of intensifying storm, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration has alerted people that the storm will gain strength from late Tuesday night.
Tripura and Mizoram will witness heavy rainfall on May 13, and at isolated places on May 14. Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam will receive heavy rainfall on Sunday.
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.
Fishermen and operators of small ships, boats and trawlers are advised not to venture into the southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal during the day.
The weather office also suggested regulation of tourism and offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands from May 8 to 12.
