Cyclone Mocha potentially Crosses Rakhine; Millions from Rakhine, Magwe, Sagaing Are Expected To Be Hit
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Hsu/ Myo Gyi (NP News) – May 11
Weather forecast expresses that the cyclonic storm Mocha is entering Rakhine State with the wind speed of 100 miles per hour and people in Rakhine, Magwe and Sagaing may suffer from the strong wind.
According to the weather forecast by the Department of Metrology and Hydrology on May 11’s 6:30 am, the deep depression in the southeast of the Bay of Bengal has moved to the north-northwest. It gets stronger and becomes the cyclonic storm, Mocha.
The DMH forecasted that the Cyclone Mocha is currently moving towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar Coastal areas.
According the forecast and Cyclonic Storm Warning from the DMH today, the cyclonic storm Mocha is likely to move North-Northwestwards and intensifies into a severe cyclonic storm tonight and recurves gradually to North-Northeastwards and intensifies into a very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over Central Bay of Bengal around 12th May.
On May 14, very severe cyclonic storm Mocha is forecasted to cross Southeast Bangladesh and Northern Rakhine Coast between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukphyu township in Myanmar.
It is forecasted that strong winds will be blown frequently and the wave can be very large along the Delta, Rakhine coast and in the offshore sea during May 12-14.
During the strong winds, surface/land winds can reach 80 to 100 miles per hour. Expected height of the waves in the delta may reach up to about (13) to (16) feet along the Rakhine coast and offshore.
The DMH forecasts that the highest wind speed will be 90 to 100 miles per hour while the cyclone is crossing between Kyaukpyu, Myanmar and Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.
According to the DMH, the storm is expected to surge in tributaries and the mouth of the river in Maungdaw District, Sittwe District in Rakhine may rise up to about (10) to (14) feet. In addition, in Kyaukphyu District, the storm surge in tributaries and the mouth of the river may reach up to about (7) to (10) feet.
As per reports, the cyclone warnings have been issued to the public and urged to make preparations and evacuation to those who are living in disaster prone areas and along the cyclone track.
According to the forecasts, more than nine hundred thousand people in Rakhine State, approximately 170,000 people in Magwe Region and more than four hundred thousand people in Sagaing Region are forecasted to experience floods, heavy winds and waves. Sittwe in Rakhine, Htilin and Gangaw in Magwe can be severely damaged due to the storm.