Cyclone Mocha is approaching the coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar with a maximum wind speed of 200 kmph, said the latest weather bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

According to the bulletin, at 6:00pm, the very severe cyclonic storm was centred about 605km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 525km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 625km south of Mongla port and 565km south of Payra port.

It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and cross Cox’s Bazar-North Myanmar’s coast between 6:00am to 6:00pm tomorrow (May 14), according to BMD.

The maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the very severe cyclone centre is about 180 kmph rising to 200 kmph in gusts.

However, Indian Meteorological Department’s latest update said Mocha will cross southeastern Bangladesh and north Myanmar tomorrow with more lethal power riding a sustained wind speed of 180-190 km per hour gusting up to 210km per hour.

The maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been asked to hoist the Great Danger Signal 10, it said.

Besides, the maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to hoist Great Danger Signal 8 while the maritime port of Mongla has been advised to hoist Local Warning Signal 4.

According to the bulletin, the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will come under Great Danger Signal no 10.

The coastal districts of Chattogram, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barishal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola, and their offshore islands and chars will come under Great Danger Signal No 8.

Under the peripheral effect of the cyclone and steep pressure gradient, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram and their offshore island and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 8-12 feet above normal astronomical tide.

The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Feni, Noakhali, Laxmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge height of 5-7 feet above normal astronomical tide.

Under the effect of very severe cyclone, Chattogram, Sylhet, and Barishal divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall. Due to very heavy rainfall landslides may occur in places over the hilly regions of Cox’s Bazar, Bandarbans, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Chattogram.

All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.