Deep depression over Bay of Bengal intensifies into cyclonic storm Mocha

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the deep depression over the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, Mocha overnight. The storm is likely to make landfall between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Sittwe in Myanmar, said officials on Thursday morning.

The cyclone, named Mocha by Yemen -- pronounced as 'Mokha', is likely to bring heavy rainfall to the Andaman island chain, they said. The names are chosen to be easy to remember and pronounce, and they must not be offensive or controversial. They are also chosen from a variety of languages so that people from different regions can identify with them.

At 8.30 am, the cyclonic storm was about 510 km southwest of Port Blair, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.


As per the forecast made till now, there will be no impact of the cyclone on Odisha and Andhra Pradesh coast. The Met department has not issued any kind of warning for Odisha regarding wind speed or rainfall, said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

Mohapatra said the cyclone will move towards Bangladesh-Myanmar coasts, so there will be no impact on Odisha. However, a warning has been issued to suspend all types of small boat and fishing operation in southeast and central Bay of Bengal Bay and Andaman Sea till May 14.


The storm is likely to turn into a severe cyclonic storm by tonight, it said.

"It would reach its peak intensity on the evening of May 13," the IMD said.

It is likely to weaken slightly from the morning of May 14, and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox's Bazar and Kyaukpyu with a maximum sustained wind speed of 120-130 kmph, gusting to 145 kmph, the IMD said.

(With inputs from PTI)