IMD issues alert after Cyclone Mocha intensifies into ‘very severe’ storm’

New Delhi, 12th May 2023: Cyclone Mocha intensified into a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ at around 5:30 in the morning. IMD authorities further predict that it will reach its peak on Saturday as it recurves over the central Bay of Bengal.

Following this development, the Indian National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) dispatched over eight teams and 200 rescuers to West Bengal’s Digha. Authorities have also issued alerts for some northeastern states, including Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland and even Manipur, where there are increased chances of heavy rainfall.

Warnings have also been issued for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands under the influence of the weather system.

Officials at the Indian Coast Guard have also been placed on high alert in response to the IMD warning.

The cyclone is now expected to make landfall along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, packing winds of up to 150-160 km per hour.