Cyclone Mocha: Kerala likely to receive downpour for 5 days, says IMD

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is expected to have isolated rainfall during the next five days due to the development of the "Mocha" cyclone in the southeast Bay of Bengal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

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IMD said that Cyclone Mocha has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm over the Central Bay of Bengal. It is reportedly said that the cyclone is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards with further intensification.

According to reports, "Mocha" might become a strong cyclonic storm by Friday night in the central Bay of Bengal. On Sunday, though, its power will weaken.
There is a possibility of rain at isolated places in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod districts. At the same time, the IMD informed that there is no disruption to fishing in the Kerala-Karnataka-Lakshadweep coasts. However, the weather department has issued a warning to those going for fishing in Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.

According to IMD, the cyclonic storm is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar, close to Sittwe around noon of May 14 as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph.

In view of the cyclonic storm, as many as eight National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in West Bengal. NDRF 2nd Battalion Commandant, Gurminder Singh, said, "Cyclone Mocha will convert into a severe storm on May 12 and a very severe cyclone on May 14, as per the predictions. We've deployed 8 teams. 200 rescuers of NDRF deployed on the ground and 100 rescuers on standby."

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