Cyclone Mocha weakens slightly, lies over Maynmar land: BMD

Cyclonic storm Mocha that hit Bangladesh-Myanmar coast on Sunday moved North-Northeastwards and weakened slightly, according to Bangladesh Metrological Department .

“The centre of the system has crossed Cox’s Bazar-North Myanmar coast near Sittwe at 3 pm on Sunday and lies over the land area of Myanmar but the whole system will complete crossing the coast by evening today and weaken gradually,” said the latest bulletin of BMD.

The northeast Bay and adjoining area will see maximum sustained wind speed of 120 kph rising to 130 kph in gusts or squalls due to the storm, it said.

Earlier, maritime port of Cox’s Bazar was advised to hoist great danger signal no 10 while maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra were advised to hoist great danger signal No 8 and Mongla port was asked to hoist warning signal No 4 and these will remain unchanged.

Cox’s s Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will remain under great danger signal no 10.

Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Borguna and their offshore islands and chars are now under great danger signal no 8.

River ports of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur,and Barguna were advised to hoist riverine great danger signal no 4.

Wind driven surge height of 5-7 feet above normal astronomical tide may inundate the low-lying areas of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars.

The low-lying areas of the coastal districts Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 3-5 feet above normal astronomical tide.

Besides, Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall.

Due to very heavy rainfall landslides are likley at places over the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarbans, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram.

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