The deep depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a cyclonic storm, confirmed Bangladesh Meteorological Department in a special weather bulletin issued at 8:30am on Thursday.
The cyclone, named Mocha, moved north northwestard at about 6:00am, the BMD said.
The cyclone was 1,295kms south southwest of Chattogram port, 1,220 km south southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1,265 km south southwest of Mongla port, and 1,225 km south southwest of Payra port at 6:00 am, the BMD said.
The BMD issued cautionary signal number 2 for the maritime ports and asked all fishing boats and trawlers to remain close to the shore and not venture into the deep sea until the dissipation of the potential cyclone.
Within 54 kms of the cyclone centre, the wind is blowing with a speed of up to 88 kms an hour.
The cyclone would move to north-northwestward on Thursday, intensifying into a very severe cyclonic storm over the southeast and adjoining central Bay of Bengal by midnight on Friday, said the India Meteorological Department.
Then, the IMD said, the cyclone was likely to recurve and move to north-northeastward on May 12 before slightly weakening on May 13 and crossing southeast Bangladesh and Myanmar between Cox’s Bazar and Kyaukpyu on May 14.
