Cyclone Mocha: Everything You Need to Know

Cyclone Mocha is a powerful storm that is brewing over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to make landfall on the coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar on Sunday, May 14, 2023. The cyclone, which is named after a coffee variant from Yemen, has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm with wind speeds of up to 130 kmph.

The cyclone originated from a low-pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining South Andaman Sea on May 9, 2023. It gradually intensified into a depression, a deep depression and then a cyclonic storm by May 10, 2023. It moved north-northwestwards till May 12, 2023 and then recurved towards the northeast, following the path of the warm ocean currents.

The cyclone is likely to cause heavy rainfall, strong winds and storm surges in the affected areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where rainfall is likely at most places until May 11, 2023. Fishermen and operators of small ships, boats and trawlers have been advised not to venture into the southeast and central Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea until May 13, 2023.

The cyclone is also expected to impact the northeastern states of India, especially Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram, where heavy rainfall is likely during the weekend. The IMD has advised people to stay indoors and take precautionary measures.

Cyclone Mocha is the first cyclone of the 2023 North Indian Ocean cyclone season, which runs from April to December. The cyclones in this region are named by eight countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The name Mocha was suggested by Yemen, which is a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

Mocha is a warm beverage with a chocolate flavour that is made from espresso coffee and steamed milk. It is named after the port city of Mokha in Yemen, which was one of the first places to export coffee beans to Europe and Asia in the 15th century. Mokha is also known for its distinctive variety of coffee beans that have a rich aroma and flavour.