By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Bangladesh is preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Mocha (pronounced as ‘Mokha’), a powerful storm packing winds of up to 175 kph (109 mph), headed towards the coasts of eastern Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Thousands of people in both countries have already fled to safer areas ahead of the storm.
As per the weather department forecast, the cyclonic storm “is very likely to move north-northeastwards and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittew (Myanmar) around noon of May 14.”
However, meteorologists do not see a danger of it becoming a ‘super cyclone’ even though it has already become very strong. When the wind speed exceeds 220 kilometer per hour, a cyclone is termed a ‘super cyclone’.
ALSO READ | Rainfall warning for Andamans, northeastern states as ‘Cyclone Mocha’ approaches Bangladesh coast
According to the information available, the maximum wind speed of Cyclone Mocha in the Bay of Bengal could reach 200 km per hour.
Md. Abul Kalam Mallik said it (Cyclone Mocha) is as strong as Cyclone Sidor, which hit Bangladesh in 2007 leaving at least 3,500 dead. “It is hurtling towards the coast with almost the same speed as Sidor. But the difference is that Sidor passed from the middle of Bangladesh, Mocha is passing through.”
THOUSANDS FLEE TO SHELTERS
As meteorologists warned that the cyclonic storm Mocha’s path looks set to affect Bangladesh’s southeastern border district of Cox’s Bazar, authorities in Bangladesh were quick to jump into action. The Bangladesh government launched a massive evacuation campaign to relocate close to half a million people along the southeastern coastlines. Over a million Rohingya refugees live in Cox’s Bazar.
“Cyclone ‘Mocha’ is coming. We have undertaken all types of preparations to tackle it,” Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.
ALSO READ | What is Cyclone Mocha and how it got its name? Ways to track live updates
In Bangladesh, Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a government official responsible for refugees, said: “We are focusing on saving lives âæ people who are at risk of landslides will be evacuated.”
“Thousands of community workers and volunteers had already been deployed, alongside medical and rescue personnel who are on stand-by,” he said.
Authorities have made arrangements to evacuate 500,000 people from the path of the storm, said Netai Chandra Dey Sarker from Bangladesh’s Department of Disaster Management.
SIGNAL NUMBER 10 HOISTED AT COX’s BAZAR SEAPORT
Cautionary signal number 10 has been hoisted at Cox’s Bazar seaport. In the meantime, the sea is getting warmer and the water level is increasing.
ALSO READ | Cyclone Mocha landfall and India impact update: What we know
Around 42,000 people have been evacuated to safer shelters with more than 1,000 shelters, including schools and colleges, being set up in Cox’s Bazar district.
Local MP Saimum Sarwar Kamal said that 100 beds have been allocated in the district headquarters hospital to deal with the emergency situation. “The district administration along with the forest department is trying to evacuate the people staying at the foot of the hill safely. About 5,000 people and livestock have taken shelter in 37 shelters in Sabrang and St. Martin in Teknaf,” he said.
About 5,000 fishing trawlers who went to the sea have returned safely to the island. Earlier, last Friday night, Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong seaports were asked to display distress signal number 8 and Payra and Mongla seaports to display local warning number 4. All fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay of Bengal have been asked not to venture into the sea till further instructions.
BANGLADESH NAVY READY FOR RESCUE OPERATIONS
Bangladesh Navy is ready to conduct rescue operations, medical and relief operations in the coastal areas as soon as possible after Cyclone Mokha hits the country.
ALSO READ | Cyclone Mocha intensifies in Bay of Bengal; 36 NDRF commanders, 200 rescuers deployed in WB’s Digha
The Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) informed that 21 ships of the Navy, naval contingent, helicopter and maritime patrol aircraft are ready with relief materials.
After the cyclone passes, Navy personnel will start conducting search operations in the sea and coastal areas through MPAs and helicopters. After that, the ships and contingents will carry out search and rescue operations in the Bay of Bengal based on the information provided by the MPA and helicopters.
Banauja Samudra Joy and Banauja Dhaleswari are ready in Cox’s Bazar for rescue work in the first phase.
Additional ships and contingents of the Navy will be deployed in the second phase if necessary after monitoring the intensity of the storm and the incidence of injuries. At the moment, the Navy members are issuing warning messages to the people living in the coastal areas of Chittagong, Cox’s Bazar and St. Martin to go to shelters.
ALSO READ | Weather department issues warning at ports as Cyclone Mocha approaches Bangladesh