With extreme climate change and environmental crises, natural calamities such as storms and cyclones are recurring frequently and stronger. ‘Cyclone Mocha’, 2023’s first cyclone, is likely to form near the Bay of Bengal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts that a cyclonic circulation will likely emerge around May 6. However, the cyclone’s formation has not yet been confirmed.
What Is Cyclone Mocha?
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) May 2, 2023
Addressing Cyclone Mocha as the first cyclone of the year, the IMD said that a cyclone is likely to form around May 6 near the Bay of Bengal because a low-pressure area is forming there. However, the cyclone’s formation has not yet been confirmed.
As a result of the Cyclone, IMD forecasted heavy downpours are expected in the following regions:
- certain pockets of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal
- Sikkim
- Punjab
- Assam
- Meghalaya
- Arunachal Pradesh
- South Interior Karnataka
- Tamil Nadu
- Puducherry
- Kerala
- Coastal Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
However, thunder, rains, and lightning are likely to occur in Uttar Pradesh. Meanwhile, a private weather forecast agency, Skymet Weather said there is very little chance of any tropical storm forming in the first half of May 2023.
Recently most cyclones that were created in the region, Amphan in 2020, Asani in 2021 and Yaas in 2022, made landfall in the month of May. This low-pressure region which is shaping over the southeast area of the Bay of Bengal is predicted to escalate into a cyclonic storm on May 9 close to the Andaman Islands.
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Precautions Taken
Following the warning, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked the officials to be on alert and prepare for any such events. Patnaik also chaired a high-level meeting to review the state’s preparedness.
Citing the havoc wrought by Cyclone Fani (which hit the Odisha coast in May 2019), he said determining the path of cyclones during summer is difficult. He advised officials to shift people who live in low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, if necessary, and formulate plans for relief and restoration works in the aftermath of a cyclone.
Although the formation of the cyclone is not confirmed yet, IMD Chief, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said they are closely monitoring the situation and will keep updating regularly.
Let’s hope that this cyclone doesn’t create much havoc
Cover image credits: Canva