Cyclone Mora abates, heads to India's north-eastern coast

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HIGHLIGHTS

• 1
  Intensity of Cyclone Mora has weakened, and is heading towards to India.
  
  
• 2
  The cyclonic storm has claimed the lives of about 5 people in Bangladesh.
  
  
• 3
  Over 20,000 houses were devastated in Bangladesh in Cyclone Mora.
  

The impact of the severe cyclonic storm Mora began to decline as it has crossed the coast. The cyclone was advancing at a speed of over 100 kilometres.

After crossing the coastal districts of Bangladesh, the cyclonic storm is now headed towards Indian states like Meghalaya, Manipur and Mizoram.

The cyclone has claimed lives of about five persons in various places in Bangladesh. Over 20,000 houses across various districts were devastated in the cyclone. Three people died in Cox's Bazar and two people died in Rangamati district.

The cyclone moved towards Chittagong by crossing the Cox's Bazar-Chittagong coast near Kutubdia under Cox's Bazar district at a speed of more than 100 kilometres per hour on Tuesday morning at around 6 am. Meteorological office director Shamshuddin Ahmed confirmed with India Today about the cyclonic storm that hit the coastal areas of Bangladesh.

"In the next 12 hours the intensity of the cyclone may weaken," said Ahmed. He added that number three warning signal will be flashed after the situation improves.



However, due to the impact of cyclone, heavy winds with heavy rain in Cox's Bazar and Chittagong region may continue for 12 hours more. He said that the situation in the sea is likely to be under control in another 24 hours.

Golam Mustafa, additional secretary of the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry, said that they were initially informed that Kutubdia, Cox's Bazar, Teknaf, St Martin and Chittagong were severely affected.

As the situation is gradually improving, the people who were moved to shelters have begun returning to their homes. On Monday, when the 'Mora' reached nearby 305 kilometres of Bangladesh coast, the country's seaports had to show 'Great Danger Level Sign' said the Meteorological Department.

The cyclone hit the Cox's Bazar-Chittagong coast on Saturday and reached Chittagong on Tuesday at around 6am, with a speed of more than 100 kilometers per hour touching Kutubdia of Cox's Bazar. Although the naval and air transport movement were closed down from Monday afternoon, it was re-launched afternoon on Tuesday.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/...dia-coastal-region-strong-winds/1/966696.html