Mocha maturing into super-cyclone

Mocha is predicted to be intensifying into a very severe cyclone by this (May 12) morning, eventually packing in force comparable with the super-cyclone Sidr that had devastated Bangladesh coast.
Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) came up with such a weather warning at a press conference Thursday, while agriculturists feared crop damage in tidal surge and storms.
It also said Mocha has similarities with the severe Cyclone Sidr that devastated the coastal regions, Sundarbans and other parts of the country in November 2007.
BMD’s latest cyclone bulletin says the cyclone was centered about 1,255 km south-southwest of Chattogram Port, 1,180 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 1,220 km south-southwest of Mongla Port, and 1,185 km south-southwest of Payra Port at 1:00 pm on Thursday.
“The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 kms of the cyclone centre was about 62kph, rising to 88kph in gusts/squalls, and the sea will remain very rough near the cyclone centre,” says the Met warning.
All fishing boats and trawlers over the North Bay and deep sea have been advised to remain close to the coast and proceed with caution while the seaports were asked to raise warning signal number 2.
BMD director Md Azizur Rahman at the press conference, held at his office, said the Mocha shares some common characteristics like that of the Sidr.
“Sidr had diverse branding as well as a particular eye formation, all of which are now being observed in Mocha as well,” he said.
He said the very severe cyclone is projected to have wind speeds ranging from 119 kmph to 219 kmph in gusts or squalls, while it might have wind speeds between 89 kmph and 117kmph.
The cyclone is expected to hit coastal areas, including Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Noakhali, and Bhola, and the neighboring Myanmar coasts, he said.
Meanwhile, over 0.2 million hectares of rice and 0.1 million hectares of summer fruit and vegetable fields might be affected by storms, according to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) regional offices.
DAE Chattogram region additional director Dr Arbindo Kumar Ray said 0.28 million hectares of land came under Boro farming this year while 60,000 hectares were yet to be harvested.
He said 26,000 hectares of vegetable fields could be hit hard amid heavy wind with rain.
Barisal region DAE additional director Sawkat Osman said 85 per cent of harvest out of 0.196 million hectare of boro rice has been completed by May 11.
He said 27,000 to 28,000 hectares of land are yet to be harvested.
He said 13,000 hectares of vegetables, 30,000 hectares of guava and hog plum gardens might also be affected.
Additional Director of DAE Jessore region Abul Hossain told the FE that a total of 0.376 million hectares of land was brought under Boro farming this year and 85 per cent of harvest has been completed.
He said 25,000 hectare of mango, 50,000 hectares of boro fields might be affected if wind and rain hit the area.
Besides, about 50, 000 hectares of vegetable fields could also witness mild to severe damage, he said.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) at 8:30 pm on Thursday tweeted that cyclonic-storm Mocha over the southeast Bay of Bengal was about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Island of India) and 1190 km south-southwest of Coxs Bazar (Bangladesh). It would intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight of May 11.

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