According to a special meteorological report issued on Thursday, the deep depression over Southeast Bay and the surrounding area moved north-northwestwards and strengthened into cyclonic storm Mocha over the same area.
“The deep depression over Southeast Bay and adjoining area moved to north-northwestwards and intensified into cyclonic storm Mocha over the same area. It is likely to intensify further and move in a North-Northwesterly direction till tomorrow morning”, it said, reports BSS.
Mocha is expected to gradually change its direction and head towards the North-Northeast, according to a bulletin issued by the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.
The cyclone was located about 1295 kilometers South-Southwest of Chattogram port, 1220 kilometers South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1265 kilometers South-Southwest of Mongla port and 1225 kilometers South-Southwest of Payra port at 6 am today.
The cyclone has a maximum wind speed of 62 kilometers per hour, which can increase to 88 kilometers per hour in gusts or squalls. The sea near the cyclone center will be very rough, the bulletin warned.
The met bulletin ordered maritime ports in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra to lower distant cautionary signal no. one and hoist distant warning signal no. two.
All fishing boats and trawlers operating in North Bay and the deep sea have been instructed to stay close to the coast and exercise caution. They are also cautioned not to go deep into the sea.
