Coastal areas brace for severe cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’

Coastal areas are bracing for the severe cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’ which is brewing over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas and likely to make a landfall in Bangladesh coast on Sunday.

According to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department bulletin on Friday mornimh, the severe cyclonic storm is likely to further intensify in coming hours and it has moved further north-northeastwards.

It was centred at 3:00 am on May 12 about 1125 kms south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1055 kms south-southwest of Cox's bazar port, 1085 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 1050 kms south-southwest of Payra port.

It is likely to move in the northerly direction and intensify further, according to the special bulletin.

Maximum sustained wind speed within 64km of the cyclone centre is about 90 kph rising to 115 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain high near the severe cyclone centre.

The maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal no-2 (two).

Meanwhile, local administration of the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar has already taken all out preparations to bring down the loss of lives and properties ahead of the landfall as the district is likely to be the most affected.

Muhammad Shaheen Imran, deputy commissioner of the district, said they chalked out all kinds of preparations, considering the possible loss of lives before the cyclone hits the region.

A total of 576 cyclone centres were prepared for sheltering 5,50,990 people, he said, adding that an emergency control room was also opened.

He said Tk 10.30 lakh, 490 tonnes of rice and 194 bundles of corrugated iron sheet have been readied for humanitarian help during the disaster.

Moreover, Tk 100,000, 50 tonnes of rice, 7 tonnes of dry foods have been allocated by the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry to face the disaster, the DC said.

In Khulna, Local administration has kept 409 cyclone centres prepared for sheltering 2,73,850 people while at least 446 cyclone shelters have been prepared in Bagerhat district to accommodate people while 98% of boro paddy has been harvested in the district.

Meanwhile, the Bhola district administration has prepared in three phases to deal with cyclone Mokha.

Deputy Commissioner Md. Tawfiq-e-Lahi Chowdhury said eight control rooms have been opened in Bhola.

As many as 746 shelters have been kept ready. About 563,000 people can take shelter. In addition, 13,600 CPPs and 5,000 Red Crescent volunteers are on standby.

About 90 percent of the fishermen who went to fish in the sea have already returned to the shore and the fisheries department and coast guard are working to bring back the remaining fishermen.

Meanwhile, Chandpur local administration is carrying out an awareness campaign in river coastal areas to alert the people regarding the situation and also to prepare them for the effects during and after cyclone 'Mocha’.