Yangon, May (12)
The people in Rakhine State are worried about the powerful cyclone Mocha, expected to hit the
Rakhine coast on May 14, the locals told Than Lwin Times.
On May 14, the Mocha storm could make landfall between Cox’s Bazar in the southeast of
Bangladesh and Kyaukphyu on the northern Rakhine coast of Myanmar, according to
meteorologists.
Daw Su Su San, a meteorologist, also warned that the size of cyclone Mocha may increase as it
moves from Yan Bye Island in Rakhine State to Chittagong in Bangladesh, putting the entire
northern part of Rakhine State at risk.
The authorities have issued early warnings through weather-related social platforms since the
beginning of the second week of May so that residents of northern Rakhine State can avoid
natural disasters in advance.
Residents of northern Rakhine State, where cyclone Mocha is likely to pass through, are
worried because the military council has not yet carried out systematic relief and evacuations for
them.
The military council’s Rakhine administrative officials fail to provide the people with accurate
information about the evacuation plans.
After the preparation and coordination meeting of Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the
Regional/State Disaster Management Teams on May 11, at 1:00 p.m. in Nay Pyi Taw, details of
storm risk management for Rakhine State have not yet been released.
The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) announced on May 11 that over
900,000 people in Rakhine State and over 1 million people across the country could be affected
by the powerful Mocha cyclone.
News – Than Lwin Times
Photo: ABN News