Mocha intensifies into severe cyclonic storm

Tropical cyclone Mocha tonight intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over South East Bay of Bengal and gathered more speed moving northwards at a speed of 11km per hour in the last six hours, according to the Indian Met Department.

The IMD issued a heightened alert about the tidal surge to be triggered by Mocha at the time of landfall between Cox's Bazar and Kyaukpyu. Revising its earlier storm surge advisory of 1.5m to 2.0 m high, the IMD's latest update says tidal surge will be with a height of 2.0m to 2.5m during the landfall.

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At the time of the last report of IMD, Mocha was 1,100km from Cox's Bazar and is very likely to move nearly northwards in the next 12 hours and intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm over the central Bay of Bengal in the morning of May 12, reports our New Delhi correspondent citing the IMD's latest update on the movement of the cyclone.

Mocha is likely to recurve gradually and move north northeastwards with further intensification and will cross the coasts between Cox's Bazar and Kyaukpyu on May 14 as a very severe cyclonic storm, gathering more strength with maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160km per hour gusting up to 175km per hour.

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Rain and thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty or squally wind is likely to occur at one or two places over Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, reports UNB quoting the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Mild to moderate heat wave is sweeping over Dhaka, Rangpur, Khulna and Barishal divisions and the regions of Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Srimangal, Sandwip, Rangamati, Cumilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, and Hatiya, and it may continue.