Wikipedia

Cyclone Mocha

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Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha is a powerful tropical cyclone in the North Indian Ocean that is inland over Myanmar. The second depression and the first cyclonic storm of the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, Mocha originated from a low-pressure area that was first noted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on 8 May. After consolidating into a depression, the storm tracked slowly north-northwestward over the Bay of Bengal, and reached extremely severe cyclonic storm intensity. After undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle, Mocha rapidly strengthened, peaking at Category 5-equivalent intensity on 14 May with 1-minute sustained winds of 280 km/h (175 mph). Just before landfall, Extremely Severe Cyclone Mocha weakened to a category 4 cyclone with winds of 241 km/h (150 mph).

Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha
Current storm status
Severe cyclonic storm (IMD)
Satellite image
Forecast map
As of:16:30 UTC, 14 May
Location:21°48′N 93°48′E / 21.8°N 93.8°E / 21.8; 93.8 (Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha)
About 120 km (75 mi) NNE of Sittwe
About 130 km (81 mi) WNW of Nyaung-U
About 390 km (240 mi) NW of Naypyidaw
About 200 km (120 mi) ENE of Cox's Bazar
Sustained winds:60 knots (110 km/h; 70 mph) (3-min mean)
gusting to 70 knots (130 km/h; 80 mph)
Pressure:984 hPa (29.06 inHg)
Movement:NNE at 28 km/h (17 mph)
See more detailed information.

Meteorological history

 
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity, according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
Map key
Saffir–Simpson scale
  Tropical depression (≤38 mph, ≤62 km/h)
  Tropical storm (39–73 mph, 63–118 km/h)
  Category 1 (74–95 mph, 119–153 km/h)
  Category 2 (96–110 mph, 154–177 km/h)
  Category 3 (111–129 mph, 178–208 km/h)
  Category 4 (130–156 mph, 209–251 km/h)
  Category 5 (≥157 mph, ≥252 km/h)
  Unknown
Storm type
  Extratropical cyclone, remnant low, tropical disturbance, or monsoon depression

On 2 May, the amplitude of the passage of an active phase of the Madden–Julian oscillation led to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting the formation of a cyclonic circulation in the Bay of Bengal. This also led to the formation of Cyclone Fabien in the Southern Hemisphere.[1] The phase remained highly conducive for tropical cyclogenesis as a circulation formed on 6 May.[2] On 7 May, conditions for intensification were further enhanced by the increase of vorticity along with convergence of prevailing winds.[3] The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) also began monitoring the system that day, noting its flaring convection to the west of the circulation.[4] The circulation was later marked as a low-pressure area by the IMD on 8 May.[5] The following day, the system was upgraded to a depression due to the organised and very intense convection as it headed north-northwestward.[6] The JTWC later issued a Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert on the system, designating it Invest 91B, as it was situated in very warm sea surface temperatures, as clouds wrapped the fully obscured yet consolidating low-level circulation centre (LLCC).[7] The disturbance intensified to a deep depression on 10 May,[8] before upgrading further to a cyclonic storm on 11 May, receiving the name Mocha from the IMD.[9] The JTWC followed suit in upgrading its status, assigning it Tropical Cyclone 01B. As convection continued to burst over the LLCC, fragmented rainbands wrapped and interlocked around the centre.[10]

 
Cyclone Mocha and a tropical disturbance below the equator which would later become Moderate Tropical Storm Fabien on May 13.

The rainbands wrapped tighter over the cold central dense overcast (CDO) with overshooting cloud tops.[11] While being in a periphery of an upper tropospheric ridge, the IMD upgraded Mocha's status to a severe cyclonic storm at 12:00 UTC after it had reach winds of 90 km/h (55 mph).[12] A ragged eye structure formed and occasionally appeared on satellite imagery.[13] On 12 May, Mocha became a very severe cyclonic storm.[14] Lines of thunderstorms and moist streams of clouds circulate the CDO with a 22-kilometre-wide (12-nautical-mile) defined and elongated pinhole eye.[15] Mocha had 1-minute sustained winds of 165 km/h (105 mph) according to the JTWC, making it equivalent to Category 2 strength on the Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale (SSHWS).[16] While attaining this intensity, the cyclone steered north-northeastward under the influence of an anticyclonic circulation south of Myanmar and a trough.[17] Mocha rapidly intensified into a broad, well-organised system, due to the high ocean heat content of central Bay of Bengal, before undergoing an eyewall replacement cycle.[18] Accordingly, the IMD upgraded Mocha to an extremely severe cyclonic storm at 18:00 UTC.[19] After completing its cycle on 13 May, the eyewall became well-defined, resulting in another period of rapid intensification. Low vertical wind shear and robust outflow facilitated the strengthening, and Mocha reached 1-minute sustained winds of 240 km/h (150 mph), equivalent to Category 4 strength on the SSHWS.[20] Mocha achieved its peak intensity at 21:00 UTC, with the IMD estimating winds of 220 km/h (135 mph), making Mocha just shy of super cyclonic storm intensity, and the lowest barometric pressure of 931 hPa (27.49 inHg).[21] The JTWC initially measured winds of 260 km/h (160 mph) at 00:00 UTC of 14 May, making Mocha a Category 5-equivalent tropical cyclone.[22] However, the agency subsequently revised the estimate to 280 km/h (175 mph).[23]

Mocha was a large storm and had a symmetrical eye about 37 km (20 nmi) wide.[22] Conditions quickly became unfavorable for Mocha after reaching areas of mid-level wind shear and with dry air beginning to intrude the northwest side of the core. The eye feature rapidly erode as the cloud tops were significantly warmer.[23] Mocha made landfall at 07:00 UTC just north of Sittwe in Myanmar with winds of 210 km/h (130 mph).[24][25] This made the JTWC issue its final bulletin on the storm as it weakens to 195 km/h (120 mph).[25] Mocha continues to rapidly weaken from Myanmar's rugged terrain as it downgrades to very severe cyclonic storm intensity at 15:00 UTC. Wind shear also increases and hinders the storm's strengthening.[26]

Current storm information

As of 16:30 UTC 14 May, Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha is located near 20°15′N 92°45′E / 20.25°N 92.75°E / 20.25; 92.75 (Mocha) or about 120 km (75 mi) north-northeast of Sittwe, about 130 km (81 mi) west-northwest of Nyaung-U, about 390 km (240 mi) northwest of Naypyidaw and about 200 km (120 mi) east-northeast of Cox's Bazar. Maximum 3-minute sustained winds are at 60 knots (110 km/h; 70 mph), with gusts up to 70 knots (130 km/h; 80 mph). The minimum central barometric pressure is 984 hPa (29.06 inHg), and the system is moving north-northeast at 28 km/h (17 mph).

For the latest official information, see:

Preparations

Thousands of volunteers helped citizens of Myanmar and Bangladesh evacuate as the cyclone approached the border; 8,600 were deployed in Cox's Bazar and another 3,400 in refugee camps. Around 200 people sought shelter in Pauktaw.[27]

Myanmar

Local authorities in Rakhine have advised residents to evacuate low-lying and coastal areas in Sittwe, Pauktaw, Myebon, Maungdaw, and Buthidaung, and many are already beginning to leave ahead of the storm. Communities and aid agencies in Myanmar are preparing for Cyclone Mocha's potential arrival.[28] The Myanmar Red Cross Society is preparing for major emergency response with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).[29] More than 78.25 people evacuated from at-risk areas, including 18,800 internally displaced persons in Rakhine. The nation's government prepped shelter stockpiles to accommodate 100,000 people.[30] Roughly 4,000 people evacuated from Sittwe while 20,000 other residents sought refuge in local shelters.[31] Large-scale search and rescue teams were placed on standby, consisting of 3,207 personnel equipped with 1,009 land and 242 water vehicles. Dozens of medical personnel and rapid response teams were deployed to Rakhine and Chin. Non-food items for more than 10,000 people were readied. According to ASEAN, Myanmar's government was better-equipped to handle disasters with lessons learned from Cyclone Nargis in 2008.[30]

 
Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha rapidly intensifying while approaching Myanmar on 13 May.

The World Food Programme (WFP) in Myanmar said it was preparing food and relief supplies to support over 400,000 people in Rakhine and nearby areas.[32] According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Mocha is anticipated to reach Myanmar's Rakhine state and northwest region, where six million people require humanitarian assistance and 1.2 million are displaced.[33] The World Health Organization has positioned 500,000 water purification pills in Myanmar, along with additional supplies.[34] The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre) has warned of the possibility of a "catastrophic disaster" and stated that it is coordinating with Myanmar's military to fly essential supplies from warehouses in Thailand and Malaysia.[35]

Bangladesh

The UN refugee agency stated that "emergency preparations in the camps and on Bhasan Char are underway" in collaboration with the government and local humanitarian organizations.[36] Heavy rains from the cyclone might cause landslides in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, as well as three other hilly districts: Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari, according to authorities in Bangladesh.[37] A half-million people are being evacuated to safer areas in south-eastern Bangladesh ahead of a possibly catastrophic cyclone.[38] The WMO deployed 40 ambulances and 33 mobile medical teams in Cox's Bazar.[39] In addition, Arjun Jain, the UN's principal coordinator for the Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, says that there are numerous ambulances and mobile health teams available to support Bangladeshis in need as well as refugees. These teams are highly trained to assist the elderly, children, and the disabled.[40]

The authorities suspended inland river transport in Bangladesh on 13 May and flight operations at Shah Amanat International Airport on 14 May.[41] The Bangladesh government launched a large evacuation campaign to relocate almost 500,000 residents along the country's southern coastlines.[42] By 14 May, approximately 1.27 million people evacuated from Cox's Bazar and over 100,000 from Chittagong.[31][43]

India

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the southeast Bay of Bengal region of Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Southern Assam, and portions of Manipur are expected to receive "heavy" to "very heavy" rainfall as a result of Cyclone Mocha.[44] The state governments of Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam have also requested that the disaster management and all other relevant authorities take preventative measures to minimize casualties and property damage.[45]

Impact

Myanmar

A storm surge estimated at 3 to 3.5 m (9.8 to 11.5 ft) impacted coastal communities in Rakhine.[46] Parts of Sittwe were flooded by the surge,[47] leaving streets and homes submerged.[48] Severe winds knocked down a communication tower in Sittwe.[49] Roofs were blown off houses, and billboards were flying off buildings in Yangon.[49] After the cyclone made landfall, communication networks in Rakhine were damaged, according to the U.N and local media reported.[47] At least three people have been killed in Myanmar: two in Tachileik Township from a landslide and one in Pyinoolwin Township from a fallen tree.[31]

Bangladesh

On the outlying St. Martin's Island, at least 12 people were injured, including one in critical condition, and 300 homes were damaged. However, effects were less than initially feared as the storm surge was less than anticipated.[50] Cyclone Mocha brought strong winds and caused heavy rains in Cox's Bazar.[51] Gale-force winds began to blow in Bangladesh as well, accompanied by heavy rainfall.[49]

See also

References

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  30. ^ a b Situation Update No. 2 - Tropical Cyclone One (Mocha), Myanmar - Sunday, 14 May 2023, 2200HRS (UTC+7) (PDF) (Report). 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023 – via ReliefWeb. {{cite report}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
  31. ^ a b c "Thousands evacuated as Cyclone Mocha makes landfall in Myanmar". The Guardian. Associated Press. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
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  40. ^ Paddison, Chris Lau,Laura (13 May 2023). "Communities in Bangladesh and Myanmar brace for the worst as Cyclone Mocha intensifies". CNN. Archived from the original on 13 May 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  47. ^ a b Paul, Ruma (14 May 2023). "Cyclone Mocha floods Myanmar port city as strong winds wreck buildings". Reuters. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  48. ^ "Powerful Cyclone Mocha makes landfall in Myanmar, tearing off roofs and killing at least 3". ABC News. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  49. ^ a b c "Cyclone Mocha: Intense storm hits Bangladesh and Myanmar coast". BBC News. 14 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Bangladesh, Myanmar brace as powerful Cyclone Mocha makes landfall". AP NEWS. 14 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  51. ^ Correspondent, Staff. "Cyclone Mocha: gust front begins crossing the coast". Prothomalo. Retrieved 14 May 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
 
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