Cyclone Mocha is likely to intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm today over the southeast and adjoining areas of central Bay of Bengal, officials have said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed eight teams and 200 rescuers in West Bengal.
“Cyclone Mocha will convert into a severe storm on May 12 and a very severe cyclone on May 14, as per the predictions. We have deployed eight teams and 200 rescuers in the region and 100 rescuers are on standby,” said Gurminder Singh, Commandant, 2nd Battalion, NDRF.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which closely monitors the cyclonic storm, said cyclone Mocha will turn into a severe cyclone by Sunday and predicted a storm surge of 1.5-2 metres for the low-lying coastal region of Bangladesh near Cox’s Bazaar.
The IMD has issued an orange alert for West Bengal and Odisha, and a yellow alert for Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry. The alert has asked people in these states to be prepared for heavy rains and strong winds.
The IMD has also advised fishermen and boat operators not to venture into the sea in the affected areas.
The cyclone is expected to make landfall in Bangladesh on May 14.
