Cyclone Mocha may intensify into a very severe storm by May 12, wind speeds to reach 130 kmph

Normally cyclones are activated in June or July in India. But this year Mocha cyclone has been active in onset of May. Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that Cyclone Mocha forming over the Bay of Bengal may intensify into a very severe storm by Friday, May 12 where wind speeds can reach 130 kmph.

The weather department has predicted that the cyclone is likely to intensify into a depression on May 9 and into Cyclone Mocha on May 10. The storm is expected to move towards the Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts around May 12.

According to the IMD, a low-pressure area has already formed over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea on Monday.

Rainfall is expected to increase over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Squally weather with wind speeds reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph is likely over south-east Bay of Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and adjoining Andaman Sea on Tuesday. Stormy conditions are likely to continue at least till May 11.

Meanwhile, the weather forecasting agency stated that a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by lightning and gusty winds is likely to commence over northwest India, including the western Himalayan regions.

An atmospheric trough was running from south-west Bay of Bengal off north Tamil Nadu coast to cyclonic circulation associated with the low-pressure area over south-east Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman Sea, the weather office said in its bulletin.

IMD said that Odisha is experiencing hot and sultry weather, which is likely to continue for four more days. IMD added that the possible cyclone forming in the Bay of Bengal will not have any direct impact on Odisha or any other state on the east coast as the system is likely to move towards the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast.