The Department of Meteorology says that the people should be alert as cyclone “Mocha”, currently active in the south-eastern Bay of Bengal Sea area, has now developed into a severe cyclone. The Department of Meteorology said that Mocha was currently moving towards Bangladesh. Still, due to its impact, heavy rains may occur in several parts of the country and the first storm to occur in the Bay of Bengal in 2023 could be called Cyclone Mocha.
As the cyclone may be intense in the future with a speed between 150 – 175 km per hour, fishermen should especially refrain from sea travel. At the same time, there is a high risk of sea travel through Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Puttalam, Mannar, Jaffna to Kankasanthuraya and from Mullaitivu to Trincomalee. Fishermen have also been advised to be careful.
In the meantime, due to the impact of the cyclone, several areas of the island were also hit by falling trees and minor damage to houses.
