As India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the effect of Cyclone Mocha will not have a direct impact in Tripura, the landfall process of extremely severe cyclonic Storm “Mocha” (pronounced as “Mokha”) is making landfall over Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts with little impact in Tripura through cloudy sky with drizzling.

The Agartala station of IMD on Saturday last said that the effect of Cyclone Mocha will not have a direct impact in the state, but issued warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in all districts of the state from May 14 morning.

The landfall process has commenced. The heavy rainfall along with the gale wind is occurring over the north Myanmar-Bangladesh coasts and forward sector of the eye wall is entering into these coastal areas. IMD has also issued warning of heavy rainfall across Tripura on May 14 to 17th next due to Cyclone Mocha.

IMD issued “Orange” (alert) warnings for three districts for May 13 and 14 and “Yellow” (watch) warning for remaining five districts of the state on the same and has also issued “Yellow” warning for all districts of the state for May 15.

IMD predicted that rainfall at most places in Tripura, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and southern Assam and heavy rainfall at isolated places of these states on Sunday. But, reports said that Tripura on Sunday witnessed only a few spells of rain with cloudy sky.

While, the indirect effect of Cyclone Mocha has further cooled the temperature of Agartala city and brought respite from scorching heat. On Sunday Agartala recorded a maximum temperature of 29.7 degrees Celsius with departure of minus 3.8 degrees with relative humidity at about 87 percent and minimum recorded temperature of 25.6 degrees Celsius with departure of plus 1.7 degrees Celsius.

IMD also issued warning that heavy to very heavy rainfall is very likely at isolated places over South, Gomati, Dhalai and North districts and heavy rainfall is very likely to occur at isolated places over rest districts of Tripura and squally wind speed reaching 50 to 60 kmph gusting to 70 kmph is very likely to occur over all districts of Tripura.

It may be recalled here that on Saturday Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha has attended a high level meeting for management of extremely severe cyclonic storm “Mocha” and reviewed the preparedness in presence of top officials and has instructed   the officials concerned to be fully prepared for management of any eventuality arising out of the cyclone.

The IMD through its bulletin said that the extremely severe cyclonic storm “Mocha” over Northeast and adjoining East central Bay of Bengal moved nearly north-northeast wards with a speed of 28 kmph during past 06 hours and lay centered at 1130 hours IST of Sunday, the 14th May 2023 over Northeast Bay of Bengal near latitude 19.9°N and longitude 92.5°E, about 40 km southwest of Sittwe (Myanmar) and 170 km south-southeast of Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh).

IMD added that it is very likely to move north-northeast wards and cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar (Bangladesh) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar), close to Sittwe (Myanmar) within a few hours as an extremely severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 180-190 kmph gusting to 210 kmph.