Cyclone Mocha intensifies into 'extremely severe cyclonic storm': IMD

Mocha has intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm over east central Bay of Bengal and was 760km south southwest of Cox's Bazar at 2:30am (local time) today, according to the Indian Met Department's last update.

It is moving north-northeastwards and likely to intensify further and cross Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts between Cox's Bazar and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar around May 14 (tomorrow) afteernoon as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum wind speed of 150-160 km per hour going up to 175 km per hour, reports our New Delhi correspondent citing the IMD.

Mocha is likely to set off tidal surging with a height of 2.5-3.0 metres above astronomical tide which could inundate low-lying areas of south east Bangladesh and adjoining north Myanmar during the time of the landfall.

Maritime ports of Cox's Bazar, Chattogram and Payra have been advised to lower local warning Signal Number 4 and instead hoist Great Danger Signal 8, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

The coastal districts of Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Barishal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna and their offshore islands and chars will come under Great Danger Signal Number 8.

All fishing boats and trawlers over the north Bay of Bengal have been advised to take shelter immediately, according to a BMD bulletin.