Cyclone Mocha intensifies; Bangladesh's St Martin's island may go underwater temporarily
Dhaka (Bangladesh), May 14: As Cyclone Mocha intensifies and winds pick up, Saint Martin's, Bangladesh's sole coral island, may become temporarily submerged, according to the head of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), reported Dhaka Tribune.
"Since there is no major infrastructure on the island, the storm will not get obstructed anywhere and hit the island directly. As the centre of the storm passes over St Martin's, water will move from one side of the island to the other, and due to the intensity of the storm, the island may be underwater for some time," BMD Director Md Azizur Rahman said. He further said, "But the water will not stay still; it may also move away. The situation depends entirely on the speed of the storm."
According to Dhaka Tribune, meteorologist Shahinul Islam predicted that the bulk and centre of the storm will pass over Myanmar and the rest would lash the Cox's Bazar shore.
According to Islam, rain has already begun along Bangladesh's coast, and most sections of the country may see wet weather throughout the day.
The BMS stated in its morning bulletin that very severe cyclonic storm Mocha had moved north-northeastwards, intensified over northeast Bay and adjoining areas, and was centred at 6 a.m. about 385 km south-southwest of Chittagong port, 305 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar port, 450 km south of Mongla port, and 370 km south of Payra port.
According to the latest Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) bulletin, the peripheral effect of Cyclone Mocha began on Sunday morning over the coastal areas of Chattorgram and Barishal divisions, according to Dhaka Tribune.
Cyclone Mocha will pass southeastern Bangladesh and north Myanmar today, according to the Indian Meteorological Department, with sustained winds of 180-190 km/h gusting up to 210 km/h.
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- ANI
