KOHIMA: The Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) of the Home Department issued an alert for inhabitants of the state on Friday as Cyclone Mocha is predicted to intensify into a severe storm over the central Bay of Bengal.
Although Nagaland would not be directly affected by the cyclonic storm, the state has been warned that strong winds and isolated rain showers may be common in the next days.
Heavy rains are forecast in the state on Saturday, followed by very heavy rainfall on Sunday. Thunderstorms with severe lightning are also forecast throughout this time period.
Damage to unsecured structures and kutcha dwellings is predicted during the cyclonic storm due to heavy rain and the likelihood of landslides in vulnerable places, uprooting of trees and branches, and damage to standing crops, it said.
The NSDMA asked the public to be cautious during this time period and to avoid sheltering under large trees or near river banks in order to avoid undue risk to life from lightning and flash floods.
The cyclonic storm "Mocha," pronounced "Mokha," was centred around 510 kilometres west of Port Blair, 1160 kilometres south-southwest of Cox'z Bazaar (Bangladesh), and 1120 kilometres south-southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar). The cyclonic storm is expected to recurve gradually by Saturday and continue north-northeastward with considerable intensification, finally reaching its peak intensity.
It is expected to travel across the shores of southeast Bangladesh and northern Myanmar on May 14 as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of 150-160 kmph gusting to 175 kmph.
The cyclonic storm is also expected to make landfall along the Bangladesh-Myanmar coastline, impacting South Bengal. According to NSDMA, the outlook may alter during the next few days.
According to reports, strong thunderstorms are expected to begin tomorrow in Tripura and Mizoram, with rain also falling in Nagaland, Manipur, and south Assam on Sunday.
Following concerns that cyclone 'Mocha' could grow into a catastrophic storm, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed 8 teams and 200 rescuers to West Bengal's Digha.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted cyclone 'Mocha' of turning into a severe cyclone by May 14.
"#CycloneMocha will convert into a severe storm on May 12 & a very severe cyclone on May 14, as per the predictions," said Gurminder Singh, Commandant, 2nd Battalion, NDRF.
"We've deployed 8 teams. 200 rescuers of NDRF deployed on the ground and 100 rescuers on standby," said Singh, while speaking to media.
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