Cyclone Mocha Intensifies; IMD Asks Fishermen Not To Venture Into Central Bay of Bengal

New Delhi: The Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha has intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm and lay centred over Central adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal about 520 km west-northwest of Port Blair at 05:30 this morning.

IMD said it is very likely to move north-northeastwards and intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm during the next four hours over the Central Bay of Bengal. Thereafter, it is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards with further intensification.

It is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) around noon on Sunday as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150 to 160 kilometres per hour gusting to 175 kilometres per hour.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and South Assam to receive heavy rainfall from today till Sunday. Squally wind speed reaching 50-60 kilometres per hour and gusting to 70 kilometres per hour is likely to prevail in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur.

IMD said, Sea Conditions will be very rough from today till Sunday. Fishermen, ships, boats and trawlers have been advised not to venture into the southeast Bay of Bengal. Those over the central Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea are advised to return to the coast.