Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rains until May 12
The deep depression formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal on May 9 is likely to mature into cyclone Mocha by today evening, alerted the India Meteorological Department (IMD). It will eventually develop into a very severe cyclone over the next few days.
The cyclone is “very likely to move north-northwestwards and intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm over the same region around today evening,” said the statement issued by India Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 10, 2023.
The cyclone is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by May 11 morning and a very severe cyclonic storm by midnight of the same day.
Read more: Mocha: Summer cyclones not new; Fani, Amphan were May storms too
Mocha will continue to make its way by recursion towards north-northeastwards near Bangladesh and Myanmar as predicted by the IMD and hit the coast between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar post noon on May 14.
Officials claimed the cyclone would weaken a little before making landfall with a maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kilometres per hour.
IMD predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Northeast India, where the cyclone will skirt along Indian territory. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rains until May 12.
Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and south Assam are also likely to receive heavy rains on May 13 and 14.
Debasish Jena, agrometeorology scientist, district agromet unit, Cuttack, recommended farmers to start harvesting boro rice and black gram immediately to avert the impact of rains.
“Keep the harvested produce in safe places. In Hill Zone, provide mechanical support to crops and ensure drainage facilities in orchards,” Jena said.
The scientist said farmers to avoid transplanting vegetables during heavy spells of rain. Postpone fresh sowing of jhum/upland rice and cover the already sown areas with farm residues to avert the impact of rains. Maintain proper drainage and runoff management strategies in the rice fields, said Jena.
“Though the cyclone may weaken before the landfall, it will still fall into very severe cyclone category at the time when it hits,” Jena added.
A fresh, feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from the night of May 12, stated IMD.
“Western disturbance will not affect the cyclone,” said Raghu Murtugudde, a climate scientist at the University of Maryland and Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
The strength of the cyclone determines the wind speed. Winds are always dangerous when the people impacted live in unstable houses with several items outside, he added.
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Mocha will continue to make its way by recursion towards north-northeastwards near Bangladesh and Myanmar as predicted by the IMD and hit the coast between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar post noon on May 14. Representative photo: iStock..png)
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