Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall: Parts Of Northeast India To See Heavy Rains, Landslides

Extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha is making landfall over the Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts, the weather office said. The landfall process has started. The maximum sustained wind speed would be 180-190 kmph gusting to 210 kmph.

The powerful cyclone made landfall shortly after midday on the Teknaf shorelines before making its way through the Naf River that divides Bangladesh and Myanmar.

 

Over 4 lakh people evacuated in Bangladesh

 

As per local administration, more than 250 medical teams are on standby to meet any emergency arising due to the cyclone. Over 4 lakh people have been evacuated from the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram till now. Local administration is providing dry food to the evacuated people at the Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram cyclone shelters.

According to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department's latest bulletin the outer rim of the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha has started crossing Cox’s Bazar area of Bangladesh and the North Myanmar coast.

"The Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and other coastal areas are experiencing intermittent rain and high-speed winds of 50-60 kms per hour under the peripheral impact of the cyclone" it said,
 

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department in its latest bulletin has said the cyclone remained centred about 250 km from Cox's Bazar, 335 kms from Chattogram, 435 km from Mongla and 350 km from Payra port on Sunday morning.

Skymet Weather said Northeast India is expected to start seeing rains. In fact, rains can be of damaging potential over many parts of Northeast India starting May 14 itself and continuing until May 15.

 

NDRF personnel deployed in W Bengal

 

Disaster Management Force personnel were on high alert along the coastal areas of Purba Medinipur and South 24 Parganas districts of West Bengal.

Seven groups of NDRF personnel including divers were deployed in Digha-Mandarmani coastal areas in Purba Medinipur district as the sea turned choppy, the official said.

Parts of Upper Assam may see some very heavy rainfall

According to Skymet Weather, adverse weather conditions are expected over many parts, particularly over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura which are parallel to the track of Cyclone Mocha. In fact, parts of Upper Assam may see some very heavy rainfall activities as well. Parts of the extreme eastern parts of Arunachal Pradesh may see some intense weather effect.

Warning of landslides in Tripura, Mozoram

 

Tripura and Mizoram will be the worst sufferers with the possibility of landslides and even waterlogging in a few areas. Due to the mountainous terrain and the complex topography, the difficulty level as it is increasing. The possibility of minor damage to unsecured and loose structures cannot be ruled out. Moreover, standing crops may also be affected in terms of rains. Thus, caution needs to be exercised.