Cyclone Mocha formed over Southeast Bay of Bengal, to intensify into severe cyclonic storm by midnight

The deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a cyclonic storm, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) regional centre in Bhubaneswar on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, IMD Bhubaneswar scientist Umashankar Das wrote, "Cyclone Mocha has formed in Southeast Bay of Bengal region."

The IMD also shared the update on the formation of the storm and wrote, "Deep Depression, intensified into a cyclonic storm Mocha and lay centered about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1210 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) at 0530 hrs IST of today the 11th May. To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by midnight of today."

Deep Depression, intensified into a cyclonic storm Mocha and lay centered about 510 km west-southwest of Port Blair, 1210 km south-southwest of Cox's Bazar (Bangladesh) at 0530 hrs IST of today the 11th May. To intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by mid-night of today. pic.twitter.com/n6AfDv5YaP

— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 11, 2023

As per the IMD forecast, after intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm, the system is likely to recurve gradually, move northnortheastwards and weaken slightly from 13th May and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar) around forenoon of 14th May, 2023 with maximum sustained wind speed of 110-120 kmph gusting to 130 kmph.