Cyclone Mocha Makes Landfall; Bangladesh and Myanmar Brace for Impact

Bhubaneswar: The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Mocha’ made landfall near Lat 20.5N and Lon 92.9E on May 14. The India Meteorological Department reported that the category five storm brought heavy rain and high-velocity winds touching a speed of 195 kmph to Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts. It is expected to weaken into a very severe cyclonic storm during the next three hours.

The system has caused heavy to very heavy showers over Northeast India, especially over Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura until May 17. Additionally, the government of Bangladesh issued a landslide warning linked to a predicted very heavy rainfall forecast for May 15.

Mocha’s destruction in Bangladesh and Myanmar has led to the suspension of gas supply from two floating LNG terminals and Monday’s Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam under all educational boards. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is monitoring the situation and giving directives to tackle the Cyclone.

The Sittwe area in Myanmar experienced disrupted electricity and Wi-Fi connections, and rescue teams said they were receiving distress calls from people trapped by flooding. The BBC reported these incidents.