No significant threat of major tidal surge: BMD director

There was no significant threat of a major tidal surge from Cyclone Mocha as of 1:00pm today.

However, the height of the high tide expected at 4:00pm is expected to rise between eight to 12 feet.

Mohammad Azizur Rahman, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, said this while briefing reporters about the latest situation of the cyclonic storm Mocha at his office at 1:00 pm.

The cyclone is currently crossing the Cox's Bazar-north Myanmar coast and is projected to make landfall near Myanmar's Sittwe around 3:00pm today, he said.

The complete cyclone is expected to cross the Cox's Bazar north Myanmar coast of Cox's Bazar in the evening, he added.

Rahman said the cyclone is expected to weaken after the evening.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 74 km of the cyclone's centre is currently at 160 km per hour, but it is anticipated to increase to 180 km per hour along with gusty winds.

At 1:00 pm, gusty winds and increased wind speeds were reported at St Martin's Island, accompanied by heavy rainfall, Rahman informed.

He also mentioned that the wind speed is expected to further increase after 3:00pm.

He added that the next briefing will be held at 4:00pm.