Low-pressure area likely to intensify into Cyclone Mocha today

A low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea, about 510 km southwest of Port Blair, on Tuesday evening was likely to intensify into Cyclone Mocha by Wednesday evening. It was expected to move north-north-westwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday morning over the southeast and adjoining Bay of Bengal. 

It was likely to recurve gradually and move north-north-eastwards and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Bangladesh and Myanmar around the forenoon of May 14, the IMD said.

“The tropical cyclone heat potential, which provides energy to the cyclone, is high near the Myanmar coast...Bay of Bengal is considerably warm with sea surface temperatures of over 30 degrees C over most parts of the ocean,” said an IMD official. “Conditions are favourable for intensification of this cyclone which is why most models are showing that it will become a very severe cyclonic storm.”

Fishermen, small ships, boats, and travellers have been advised against venturing into the southeast and central Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. Tourism and offshore activities and shipping near Andaman and Nicobar Islands until May 12 and of shipping activity in the sea areas of southeast and central Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea until May 13. India’s northeast is expected to record heavy rainfall during the weekend due to the impact of Mocha.