26.9 C
Accra
Saturday, February 8, 2025
WorldBangladesh and Myanmar coast hit by intense storm

Date:

Bangladesh and Myanmar coast hit by intense storm

A strong cyclone is now striking the shores of Bangladesh and Myanmar after strengthening into the equivalent of a category-five storm.

195kph (120mph) gusts and heavy rain from Cyclone Mocha could cause severe floods on land near the Bay of Bengal.

There are worries that it could impact Cox’s Bazar, which is home to almost a million people and is the largest refugee camp in the world.

Up to four meters of storm surge could saturate low-lying towns.

Cyclone Mocha, according to forecasters, might be Bangladesh’s strongest cyclone in nearly two decades.

About 500,000 people have been evacuated to safer locations.

The Bangladeshi meteorological department office said the maximum sustained wind speed within around 75km (45 miles) of the centre of the cyclone was around 195 kilometres (120 miles) per hour with gusts and squalls of 215 kilometres per hour.

In preparation nearby airports were shut, fishermen ordered to suspend their work and 1,500 shelters were set up as people from vulnerable areas were moved to safer spots.

Cyclone Mocha was predicted to bring a deluge of rain, which can trigger landslides – a serious danger for those who reside in hillside camps, where landslips are a regular phenomenon.

Particular concerns have been expressed for the many Rohingya refugees living in makeshift homes in the the camps of Cox’s Bazaar and people on the western coast of Myanmar.

“For a cyclone to hit an area where there is already such deep humanitarian need is a nightmare scenario, impacting hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people whose coping capacity has been severely eroded by successive crises,” UN Humanitarian Coordinator A.I. Ramanathan Balakrishnan said.

[forminator_poll id="710479"]

Latest stories

Govt officials barred from non-essential travel

President John Dramani Mahama has imposed restrictions on non-essential...

Code of Conduct to be introduced soon – Mahama

President John Mahama has unveiled plans to implement a...

Withheld 2024 WASSCE results to be released by February 28 – WAEC

The West African Examinations Council WAEC has confirmed that...

Barker-Vormawor, Ama Governor free as AG discontinues case against democracy hub protestors

The Attorney-General has withdrawn the case against the convener...

We did our best to maintain order, prevent disruptions – Marshal

Parliament's Marshal, Lt. Col. Samuel Kofi Owusu, has maintained...

Ghana’s Roads Authority Act put on hold amid stakeholder concerns

The Ministry of Roads and Highways has decided to...

Brigadier General Tanye-Kulono appointed GHPA’s Acting Director

President John Dramani Mahama has appointed Brigadier General Paul...

Related stories

“I still consider it my biggest failure” – Bill Gates on life after divorce

Bill Gates is speaking candidly about his divorce from Melinda French...

Kanye West reclaims title as wealthiest rapper, surpassing JAY-Z

Kanye West has reportedly reclaimed the title of the...

Meta offers TikTokers $5,000 to join Facebook, Instagram

Social media giant Meta has offered to pay up...

About 1,600 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by Trump

President Donald Trump has issued pardons or commuted sentences...

LIVESTREAMING: Swearing-in ceremony for Donald Trump

Today marks the beginning of Donald Trump's second term...

Inauguration Day schedule for Trump’s swearing-in ceremony today

Donald Trump will take the oath of office today...

WhatsApp to stop working on these devices in 2025

WhatsApp will soon cease supporting 18 Android models and...