Cyclone Mocha approaches coast with 190kmph wind speed

Cyclone Mocha is gradually moving further toward the coast and is now 630km away.

The maximum wind speed has now increased to 190km per hour on Saturday.

According to the special weather bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, the very strong cyclonic storm Mocha, located in the East-Central Bay of Bengal and surrounding areas, is moving north-northeastward and becoming more concentrated in the same area. 

It was 705km south-southwest of Chittagong seaport, 630km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar seaport, 695km south of Mongla seaport and 645km south of Payra seaport on Saturday afternoon.

The cyclone may move further north-northeastward and cross Cox's Bazar and the north coast of Myanmar between 6am and 6pm on Sunday. Sea will remain very rough near the storm centre.

The coastal regions of Chittagong and Barisal divisions may experience the effects of the powerful cyclone from Saturday night.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal no 10.  

Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Chittagong and their offshore island and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of eight to 12 feet above normal astronomical tide.

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

Under the effect of the very severe cyclone, Chittagong, Sylhet and Barisal divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. 

Due to very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarbans, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chittagong.

The maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been asked to hoist great danger signal no 10 lowering the previous great danger signal no eight (8).

At the same time, Chittagong and Payra ports have been asked to hoist great danger signal no eight and Mongla local warning signal no four (4).

State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman announced this in a briefing at the secretariat on Saturday.

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