Cyclone Mocha intensified into a "very severe" cyclonic storm today over the Central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal and moved nearly north-northeastwards, officials said on Friday.
However, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 8 teams and 200 rescuers in West Bengal's Digha after warnings about cyclone 'Mocha' of intensifying into a severe storm.
"#CycloneMocha will convert into a severe storm on May 12 & a very severe cyclone on May 14, as per the predictions," said Gurminder Singh, Commandant, 2nd Battalion, NDRF.
In this regard, the official media handle of the Indian Meteorological Department took to Twitter and said, "Cyclonic storm Mocha over the southeast Bay of Bengal about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1190 km south-southwest of Coxs Bazar (Bangladesh). To intensify into a severe cycloni
"The deep depression over southeast Bay of Bengal moved north-northwestwards with a speed of 8 kmph during past 6 hours, intensified into a cyclonic storm "Mocha" pronounced as "Mokha" and lay centred at 0530 hours IST of 11th May 2023 over the same region near latitude 11.2°N and longi
"Indian Coast Guard is geared up for response to Cyclonic storm 'Mocha' as indicated by IMD. Weather update is being shared with fisheries and civil administration. ICG units in West Bengal and Odisha were placed on high alert and standby to meet any eventuality," read the release.
"All Indian nationals in Myanmar are advised to keep a watch on the weather forecast news and be prepared for any eventuality," an advisory by the Indian embassy in Myanmar stated.
"The low-pressure area over the Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea has become a well-marked low-pressure area over the same region at 0530 IST today, the 9th May 2023. It is very likely to intensify into a depression by today evening over the same region," an official
With a low-pressure area formed over the Southeast Bay of Bengal, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that people do not need to fear the cyclone as the State governmnet is equipped with handling the situation.