Cyclone Mocha may hit Ctg coast on May 13-14
Hot weather may persist also today
FE REPORT | Wednesday, 10 May 2023
A low-pressure system in the southern Bay of Bengal and adjoining seas is anticipated to transform into a severe cyclonic storm, with the possibility of hitting the commercial capital, Chattogram, between May 13 and 14, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
Prior to May 11, hot and humid weather conditions may persist in the country, with severe heat waves continuing to sweep over the districts of Rajshahi, Chuadanga, Kushtia, and Patuakhali.
BMD further indicated that a moderate heat wave would continue to sweep over the rest of the country until May 10.
In its Monday evening forecast, BMD stated that the low-pressure system is expected to intensify into a deep depression between May 10 and 11, eventually developing into Cyclone Mocha between May 11 and 12.
Cyclones are typically named according to regional conventions. Cyclone Mocha (Mokha), a name suggested by Yemen, was named after the Red Sea port city which is known to have introduced coffee to the world over 500 years ago.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that Cyclone Mocha, forming over the Bay of Bengal, may intensify into a very severe storm by May 12, with wind speeds potentially reaching 130 kilometres per hour.
The US Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center said the low-pressure system is likely to develop into a deep depression by May 10 and could become a full-fledged cyclone in the later part of May 11.
Cyclone Mocha may move north and northwest towards India’s Odisha coast from May 11 and change direction on May 12, moving northeastwards along the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
If Cyclone Mocha changes direction towards the northeast on May 12, it could make landfall on the Bangladesh coast between May 13 and 14, according to the BMD.
Chattogram’s Deputy Commissioner Abul Basar Mohammed Fakhruzzaman said city dwellers and those across the coasts have been asked to move to safer places, and upazila administrations have also been instructed to take necessary measures to prevent losses.
Barishal District’s Deputy Commissioner Md Jahangir Hossain said that the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has been instructed to encourage farmers to harvest paddy and other crops early to avoid severe damage.
The BMD forecasted that if the depression turns into a cyclone, it could cause high tides of 7.0-10 feet in the coastal districts of Chattogram and Barishal divisions.
Meanwhile, the country is experiencing severe hot weather, with the temperature in Dhaka city reaching 39.2 degrees Celsius and the highest temperature recorded at Chuadanga on Tuesday at 41.2 degrees Celsius.
The BMD predicts that the weather will remain dry with a cloudy sky over the country, with a chance of rain at only one or two places in Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions on Wednesday.
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