Home ›› 14 May 2023 ›› Front
Massive evacuation campaigns started in Bangladesh, as well as Myanmar, on Saturday as Mocha, the most powerful cyclone in nearly two decades, was barrelling towards the country’s coasts.
The cyclone is likely to make landfall on Sunday with maximum sustained wind speed within 74 km of the very severe cyclone centre being about 180 kph rising to 200 kph in gusts/squalls.
Sea will remain very high near the storm centre, said a special bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) issued on Saturday evening.
The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining area moved north-north-eastwards, intensified over the same area and was centred about 605 km south-southwest of Chattogram Port, 525 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar Port, 625 km south of Mongla Port and 565 km south of Payra Port at 6pm on Saturday, said the bulletin.
It added that the cyclone is likely to intensify further, move in a north-north-easterly direction and may cross Cox’s Bazar-north Myanmar coast around 9am to 6pm on Sunday.
It also warned that coastal regions of Chattogram and Barishal divisions will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm around midnight on Saturday.
The maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar, the coastal district itself and its offshore islands and chars have been asked to keep hoisted the great danger signal No. 10.
The maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to keep hoisted great danger signal No. 8. The maritime port of Mongla has also been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal No. 4.
The coastal districts of Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Chandpur, Barishal, Lakshmipur, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No. 8.
BMD had predicted that rain or thundershowers in all eight divisions, including Dhaka, of the country in 24 hours starting from 9am Saturday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday said that the government has taken all preparations to tackle Mocha.
Under the cyclone’s peripheral effect and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 8-12 feet above normal astronomical tide, said BMD.
Also, under the cyclone’s effect, Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions are likely to experience heavy (44-88 mm) to very heavy rainfall (>89 mm). Due to that, landslide may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram.
All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.
Nearly 4 lakh evacuated to 1,030 cyclone shelters in Ctg
About four lakh people mainly women and children have been evacuated to 1,030 cyclone shelters in Chattogram district to save their lives and valuables from the impacts of cyclone ‘MOCHA’.
Alongside, some 16,500 volunteers are working to tackle the situation, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Abul Bashar Md Fakruzzaman, who is currently visiting the Banskhali coastal area, told BSS over his cell phone.
“Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) of the coastal areas of upazilas in Chattogram have sent vulnerable people to cyclone centres and managed dry food for them. Nearly four lakh people have already been evacuated to 1,030 cyclone centres in Chattogram,” he added.
Strongest storm in decades
Meteorologists said Mocha was the most powerful storm since Cyclone Sidr, which hit country’s southern coast in November 2007, killing more than 3,000 people and causing billions of dollars in damage. Forecasters expect the cyclone to bring a deluge of rain, which can trigger landslides.
The storm is also predicted to unleash a storm surge up to four meters (13 feet) high, which can inundate low-lying coastal and river villages.
No fund crisis for post-cyclone rehabilitation
Besides, Finance Division’s Joint Secretary Abu Daiyan Mohammad Ahsanullah stated that there is no fund crisis for post-cyclone rehabilitation and the division has carried out a comprehensive fiscal risk assessment.
“During crisis and post-crisis rehabilitation, the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry has enough budgetary resources to carry out the operation and relief programme. We’ll not face any budget crisis immediately,” he said.
Unlikely to become a super cyclone
Cyclone Mocha is not turning into a super cyclone, and will remain a very severe cyclone, said State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman after a meeting at the ministry on Saturday.
People will be able to get information on cyclone Mocha and warning signals by calling 333, the national helpline. They will also get weather messages and emergency assistance by dialing the number.
BTRC opens control room
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) opened a control room on Saturday to deal with various issues related to Cyclone Mocha.
The control room can be contacted at +8801552-202854 and +8801552-202886, said a press release.
Navy ready to tackle post-disaster situation
Bangladesh Navy has taken all-out preparations to operate post-disaster emergency rescue and relief operations and encourage the coastal area people to move to shelter centres as the very severe cyclone ‘Mocha’ is approaching with higher intensity towards Bangladesh coasts.
“To tackle the cyclone ‘Mocha’, Navy members are making the residents of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and St. Martin coastal areas to move to shelter centres. Besides, 21 Navy ships, helicopters and Maritime Patrol Aircraft are ready to conduct post-disaster emergency rescue and relief operations,” said an ISPR release.
Launch services suspended
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has suspended movement of all kinds of vessesl on all inland river routes as Cyclone Mocha approaches the coast. BIWTA’s Deputy Director Mobarak Hossain Majumder movement of vessels on inland routes will remain in force until further notice.
DGHS prepared to face Mocha
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has already taken all out preparations including formation of medical teams to face anything upto a super cyclonic storm, with Cyclone Mocha expected to slam the coast of Bangladesh and possibly Myanmar anytime from 6am to 6pm on Sunday.
DGHS Director General Prof Dr Abul Bashar Mohammad Khurshid Alam held a meeting with all health officials of the 3 coastal divisions -Chattogram, Khulna and Barishal - and directors of medical college hospitals via teleconference Friday night.
18,500 volunteers ready in Bhola
A total of 18,600 volunteers have been kept ready to deal with Cyclone ‘Mocha’ in the district. Among them are 13,600 members of the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and 5,000 Red Crescent Society volunteers.
Besides, 746 shelter centres have been opened to protect people and animals during disasters. Ten lakh cattle and 5,63,000 people can take shelter in these centres during a disaster. A total of 98 medical teams have been formed to ensure the health care of common people.
576 shelters opened in Cox’s Bazar
People in the coastal areas of the district have started coming to the shelter centres in view of the strong cyclone ‘Mocha’ in the Bay of Bengal. The district administration said that 576 shelter centres have been opened in the district since Saturday morning.
Chattogram Port suspends operations
Chattogram port, which controls about 92 per cent of the country’s import-export trade, has stopped the release of goods, side by side suspending its operational activities.
Besides, vessels berthed at the jetty have been asked to move to outer anchorage as soon as possible. Lighter vessels have also been asked to take shelter towards Shah Amanat Bridge area of Karnaphuli River. CPA Secretary Mohammad Omar Faruk confirmed the information.
The local administration has prepared over 1000 shelters in the Chattogram as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha is likely to cross Cox’s Bazar-Myanmar’s north coast by 6pm on Sunday.
Flights cancelled at Ctg, Cox’s Bazar airports
All flight operations have been suspended at the Shah Amanat International Airport of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar Airport due to the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha in the Bay of Bengal.
Chattogram airport Director Group Captain Taslim Ahmed said on Friday that the authorities concerned decided to suspend operation of all flights from 6am Saturday till 12pm Sunday.
Meanwhile, Cox’s Bazar Airport will also remain closed from Saturday 7am to Sunday 7pm, according to a CAAB notification issued on Friday night.
Supply from 2 Moheshkhali LNG terminals suspended
Gas supply from two floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Moheshkhali remained suspended from 11 pm on Friday due to the approaching cyclonic storm “Mocha.”
The Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry issued a press release in this regard on Saturday saying gas supply will be disrupted in Chattogram and Cumilla. Gas supply will resume within the quickest possible time considering the cyclone situation, it said.
Over 2,500 evacuated from Saint Martin’s
Panic has gripped some 8,000 people in Bangladesh’s southernmost island of Saint Martin’s with the tiny coral outcrop, one of the country’s top resort districts, right in the storm’s path. Over 2,500 people have been evacuated from St Martin’s Island so far.
Farmers fear loss
Fearing damage due to the effects of cyclone Mocha, farmers in Rajshahi are harvesting half-ripe paddy. The farmers are not ready to take any chances and are on a war footing harvesting the standing paddy crops. They are taking every step to cut the losses to vegetables and mangoes yet to ripe.
Impact on Rohingya camps
The powerful storm is threatening around a million Rohingya refugees and others living in low-lying areas in Cox’s Bazar, most having fled a military-led crackdown in Myanmar in 2017.“We are focusing on saving lives,” said Mohammad Shamsud Douza, a Bangladesh government official responsible for refugees. “People who are at risk of landslides will be evacuated.” Thousands of trained community workers and volunteers had already been deployed, alongside medical and rescue personnel who are on stand-by, he said.
Int’l agencies brace for disaster
UN agencies spent Friday buckling down with communities across Bangladesh and Myanmar, bracing for Cyclone Mocha. Speaking from Cox’s Bazar, the agency’s deputy chief of mission, Nihan Erdogan, said Bangladesh has a “massive” preparedness plan in place, of which IOM is a partner.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has at the ready 40 ambulances and 33 mobile medical teams on standby at Cox’s Bazar, agency’s spokesperson Margaret Harris said. The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has prepositioned some 230 tons of dry food and 24.5 tons of fortified biscuits, as aid agencies stand ready to provide 50,000 daily hot meals, if needed, said Olga Sarrado, spokesperson for the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
Thousands flee in Myanmar as cyclone nears
Thousands fled Myanmar’s west coast on Saturday as the most powerful cyclone in the region for over a decade churned across the Bay of Bengal. On Saturday Sittwe residents piled possessions and pets into cars, trucks and tuk-tuks and headed for higher ground. Myanmar’s junta authorities were supervising evacuations from villages along the Rakhine coast, state media reported Friday.
Myanmar Airways International said all its flights to Rakhine state had been suspended until Monday. The Myanmar Red Cross Society said it was “preparing for a major emergency response.” Rohingya living in displacement camps inside Myanmar were also bracing for the storm.
“We are very worried. We can be in danger if the water level increases,” said a camp leader near Kyaukphyu in Rakhine state, who asked not to be named for fear of repercussions from the junta.
