Cox’s Bazar airport closed, exams postponed as Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha approaches Bangladesh Coast

By  Firstdespatch Desk   May 13, 2023

Bangladesh is on high alert to face the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha as it approaches landfall in its Southeastern coastal areas tomorrow. The Cox’s Bazar airport has shut down its operation from Saturday morning till Sunday evening in view of the approaching Cyclone. The examinations scheduled for the National University and five boards have also been postponed in view of the cyclone. Gas supply to the Cox’s Bazar areas will be affected as the government has shut down the gas supply from the two floating LNG terminals.

The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) in its latest bulletin release at 6 a.m. on Saturday has asked the maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram to keep hoisting great danger signal number 8. Mongla and Payra ports have been advised to keep hoisting local warning signal number 4. Great Danger Signal number 8 signifies severe weather from a storm of great intensity with a wind speed of 89 kmph or more.  Cyclone Mocha was about 815 kilometres away from  Chattogram port,  745 kilometres from  Cox’s Bazar port, 785 kilometres from  Mongla port, and 745 kilometres from Payra port at 6 a.m. on Saturday, said BMD in its latest bulletin.
 
Under the peripheral effect of the Cyclone, low-lying areas of the coastal districts of Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram are likely to be inundated by the wind-driven surge of 8 to 12 feet height above normal astronomical tide.