The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced this morning that the deep depression over Southeast Bay of Bengal has moved North-Northwestwards and it intensified into a Cyclonic Storm “MOCHA”. 

It is centered at about (365) Nautical miles West-Southwest of Coco Island, (475) Nautical miles West-Southwest of Hainggyigyun, (615) Nautical miles South-Southwest of Sittwe, (415) Nautical miles West-Northwest of Nicobar Islands (India), (280) Nautical miles West-Southwest of Port Blair (India) and (665) Nautical miles South-Southwest of Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh).

During next (4)days, it is likely to move North-Northwestwards and intensify into a Cyclonic Storm during next (6) hours, a severe Cyclonic Storm around (11.5.2023) morning and recurve gradually North-Northwestwards and intensify into a very severe Cyclonic storm over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining central Bay of Bengal around (12.5.2023) morning. It is likely to weaken slightly around (13.5.2023) evening and it is forecasted to cross Southeast Bangladesh and Northern Rakhine Coast between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukphyu (Myanmar) around (14.5.2023).

Due to the deep depression, rain or thundershowers will be fairly widespread to widespread in Nay Pyi Taw, Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Taninthayi Regions and Kachin, Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin and Mon States with regionally heavy falls in Lower Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyarwady and Taninthayi Regions and Rakhine, Kayin and Mon States and isolated heavy falls in Nay Pyi Taw, upper Sagaing and Mandalay Regions and Kachin and Northern Shan States from (11.5.2023) to (15.52023).

Occasionally squall with rough seas are likely at time Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along Mon-Taninthayi Coasts. Surface wind speed in squall may reach (35-40) mph. Sea will be moderate to rough elsewhere in Myanmar waters. Wave height will be about (8-10) feet in Deltaic, Gulf of Mottama, off and along Mon-Taninthayi Coasts and (5-8) feet off and along Rakhine Coast. It is also estimated that the surface of highest wind speed in squalls may reach (90-100) m.p.h.

Under the influence of the Cyclonic Storm, people should be aware of strong wind, heavy rain, flash flood and landslide in the hilly areas and near small rivers and also domestic flight, trawlers, vessels and ships off and along Myanmar Coasts. Therefore, people should watch the forecasts of The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology and make the necessary preparations.