Coastal areas to be affected tonight as Cyclone Mocha intensifies
The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central bay and adjoining area moved north-northeastwards and intensified over the same area. The cyclonic storm may cross Cox's Bazar-Myanmar's north coast by 6pm on Sunday (14 May).
The maritime port in Cox's Bazar has been advised to keep the Great Danger Signal No 10 hoisted while the cautionary signal for Chattogram and Payra ports is 8 and Mongla 4 respectively.
9.00pm
Coastal regions of Chattogram and Barishal divisions will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm around midnight (13 may).
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Heavy rainfall (up to 289mm) is expected in Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions.
Due to very heavy rainfall, landslides may occur at places over the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachari and Chattogram.
The low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Chattogram and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 08-12 feet above normal astronomical tide.
Besides, the low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars are likely to be inundated by the wind driven surge height of 05-07 feet above normal astronomical tide.
6.50pm
1.87 lakh people in Cox's Bazar shelters
Over 1.87 lakh people in Cox's Bazar and 4,303 in Saint Martin have entered cyclone shelters.
6:00pm
Tidal surges may occur in 6 districts
State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Enamur Rahman said there may be tidal surges in six districts of the country due to Cyclone Mocha.
"Mocha has turned into a very severe cyclone still moving north and northeast. The way it is progressing, I fear it will hit Cox's Bazar and Myanmar.
"Due to its effect, there may be tidal surges in various areas, including Chattogram, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Barishal, Bhola and Barguna," the state minister told journalists after an emergency meeting of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme Implementation Board at the ministry on Saturday (13 May).
He also said there may be two to three metre high tides in Teknaf, Cox's Bazar while the rest will experience tidal surges of less than two metres.
5.00pm
Lives of Saint Martin people are at risk
As per the European Union Model Run, the centre of Cyclone Mocha is most likely to pass over Cox's Bazar district while people of St Martin, Kutubdia, and Maheshkhali islands are at high risk.
Analysing the European Union model data, Mostafa Kamal Polash, a PhD researcher on weather and climate at Saskatchewan University in Canada, said Rohingya refugee camps are at risk of flooding, landslides, and loss of life.
He said a large part of Saint Martin island may go into the sea and the island may sustain permanent damage to its topography.
The lives of people stranded on the island are at risk if they are not moved to shelters as high as two-storey buildings or higher, he warned.
4:45pm
Steps taken to ensure safety of Rohingyas living in camps
Local administrations have taken various steps for Rohingyas living in 33 camps in Ukhiya and Teknaf camps. The camps are being considered at high risk of the extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha over the Bay of Bengal.
A total of 3,500 volunteers have been kept ready to evacuate Rohingyas from the camps to shelters if the cyclone hits.
Besides, medical teams are ready to deal with any emergency situation and the Site Management Engineering Group will work immediately in case of disruption in road connectivity.
4:30pm
Navy ready face Cyclone Mocha
Bangladesh Navy is ready to face Cyclone Mocha with 21 Navy ships, helicopters and maritime patrol aircrafts (MPAs) for post-disaster emergency rescue and relief operations.
The ships are kept ready to provide relief materials and medical assistance in sea and coastal areas. Besides, a naval contingent has been kept ready for deployment in the coastal areas after the cyclone.
The Navy will conduct search operations through helicopters and MPAs in sea and coastal areas after the cyclone. Based on the information provided by them, ships and contingents will conduct search and rescue operations in the Bay of Bengal.
4:00pm
5 education boards' SSC exams due on 15 May postponed
The secondary school certification (SSC) and equivalent examinations slated for 15 May have been postponed under five education boards due to Cyclone Mocha.
The five boards are Cumilla, Chattogram, Barishal, Madrasa and Technical education boards, according to the Bangladesh Inter-Education Board Coordination Committee.
Exams in other boards will be held as per schedule, it said.
Earlier, the SSC and equivalent exams due on 14 May were postponed for the five boards.
3:00pm
Opening ceremony of Marine Safety Week postponed
The Ministry of Shipping has postponed the opening ceremony of 'Marine Safety Week-2023' scheduled for Sunday (14 May).
2:30pm
Cox's Bazar police taking coastal residents to cyclone shelters
From around 2pm today, police in Cox's Bazar, alongside local administration and volunteers, have been working relentlessly to relocate the coastal residents to their nearest cyclone shelters.
Md Mahfuzul Islam, superintendent of police (SP) of the district, said, "Cyclone Mocha is expected to make direct landfall in Cox's Bazar. We are working together with the district administration and other agencies to prevent the loss of life, reduce damage, and maintain law and order.
"We will ensure that all those who are vulnerable are sent to the cyclone shelters by today evening."
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran said, "Some 32,000 people have taken refuge in the different shelters of the district from this morning to noon."
"We have restricted access to the beach for the safety of the tourists. Tourist Police and other beach officials are working to implement this directive," he added.
1:50pm
Heavy rains may trigger landslides in Cox's Bazar, Chattogram, 3 hill districts
BMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions that may trigger landslides in five districts.
According to a special weather bulletin, Chattogram, Sylhet and Barishal divisions are likely to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining area moved North-Northeastwards over the same area.
Due to very heavy rainfall landslides may occur in the hilly regions of Cox's Bazar, Bandarbans, Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Chattogram, it said.
1:10pm
Ctg port operations halted
All operations of Chattogram port, including loading and unloading of goods, have been suspended due to the severe cyclonic storm.
So far, total 18 commercial vessels stationed at the jetty have been sent to the outer anchorage while the remaining ships will be dispatched in the afternoon, confirmed the port's Marine Department.
12:15pm
Unprotected embankments cause panic among Cox's Bazar residents
Cox's Bazar administration has started evacuating those living in the district's coastal areas to the nearest cyclone shelters. But residents of these areas are fearing a flash flood due to the unprotected embankments.
As per Water Development Development Board information, 32km out of 595km of embankment in Cox's Bazar are currently unprotected. Out of this, 15km in Maheshkhali and 15km in Kutubdia.
However, locals, including public representatives, have claimed the numbers to be much higher.
Tanzir Saif Ahmed, the executive engineer of Cox's Bazar Water Development Board, said, "There are some 200 geotubes (sand-filled plastic tube) and 7,000 geobags ( small soil containers made of non-woven geotextile) in Kutubdia, 40 in Teknaf and 100 in Cox's Bazar beach to deal with cyclone Mocha. Immediate measures will be taken if seawater enters these areas."
Kamrul Hasan, chairman of Maheshkhali's Dhalghata union parishad, said, "Thousands of people live here. The water development board was informed four months ago about the unprotected embankments. They did not pay any heed."
"Things may take a turn for the worst like what happened during the 1991 cyclone," the chairman added.
11:40am
All water vessels on Lakshmipur-Bhola route suspended; fishermen return to coast
Services of all types of water vessels on the Lakshmipur-Bhola route have been suspended due to Cyclone Mocha the coastal districts of the country, including Lakshmipur, have been placed under high alert and have been asked to hoist Danger Signal No 8.
Besides, fishermen, as a cautionary measure, have begun returning to the coast with their boats and trawlers.
The District Fisheries Officer Md Aminul Islam has urged fishermen to stay away from the sea and rivers until the cyclone makes landfall and crosses Bangladesh.
Besides, government-issued relief materials have been stockpiled in coastal areas and emergency teams are on standby.
Cyclone Mokha is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the coastal areas of Bangladesh. The government is urging people to take precautions and to stay safe.
11am
Maximum sustained wind speed of cyclone Mocha 259kmph
Today at 11am, the maximum sustained wind speed of the cyclone was 259km per hour with an average speed of 212km, which is projected to gain pace as the day progresses.
Meanwhile, the height of the wave surrounding the centre of the storm was around 49ft, Meteorologist Mostofa Kamal noted.
According to a met office bulletin, the severe cyclonic storm Mocha has moved north-northeastwards at 15.4N latitude and 89.1E longitude.
10am (13 May)
Over 1,000 shelters ready in Ctg
The local administration has prepared over 1000 shelters in the Chattogram district. The authorities concerned will start the evacuation process this afternoon, said Deputy Commissioner Abul Bashar Fakhruzzaman.
According to the sources at local administration, the authorities concerned have opened 530 permanent and 500 temporary cyclone centres in the district where 501,110 people can be accommodated.
Besides, 8,880 volunteers under Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and 8000 more under Red Crescent Society are ready to evacuate people.
Fire service and civil defence, Navy, Coast Guard rescue boats and medical teams with adequate equipment are also ready.
12am
Flights grounded
Flight operations have been suspended at the Shah Amanat International Airport of Chattogram and Cox's Bazar Airport.
Air operation at Chattogram airport will remain suspended from Saturday 6am till Sunday midnight, Shah Amanat International Airport Director Wing Commander Taslim Ahmed confirmed.
Meanwhile, sources at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) have confirmed that Cox's Bazar Airport will also remain closed from Saturday 7am to Sunday 7pm.
10:30pm (12 May)
Inland water transports suspended
The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has announced the suspension of services of all types of water vessels across the country due to Mocha.
Therefore, those vessels will remain non-operational from this morning till further notice, according to a statement issued by BIWTA.
BIWTA also cancelled the leave of its employees until further notice and asked them to stay alert for any emergency situation.
In a bulletin released at 9pm yesterday, BMD advised all fishing boats and trawlers in the northern Bay of Bengal to seek shelter immediately.
