United News of Bangladesh

At least 10,000 houses were damaged in Cox's Bazar, with 1,200 of them being on vulnerable St Martin's Island off the coast of Teknaf.  Despite the widespread damage, there were no reports of casualties as of filing this report. Cox's Bazar city, Sadar upazila, Maheshkhali upazila, Kutubdia upazila, and Ramu upazila were all hit by the cyclone, and locals are fearful of the potential for massive losses being uncovered as people return to their daily lives at home. Also Read: Cyclone Mocha completes landfall, ports now advised to raise signal No. 3 Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran has confirmed that the cyclone's fury has ceased and that the 2.5 lakh people in shelters will be able to return home pending the authorities' green light. “However, the extent of the damage is still being assessed and will be reported later,” the DC said. The cyclone caused extensive damage in Teknaf and St. Martin, with a lot of trees falling in isolated areas of St. Martin, Teknaf Sadar and Municipal areas, Sabrang, Dailpara, and Jadimura. Also Read: Cyclone Mocha weakens slightly, lies over Maynmar land: BMD People have been seen removing trees from roads in different areas. According to Teknaf Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Kamruzzaman, there are reports of extensive damage in Teknaf and Saint Martin, with trees being uprooted and houses being destroyed in some areas.  Chairman of St Martin union parishad, Mujibur Rahman, said that although the wind speed has decreased in St Martin since evening, many houses have been blown away, and some people have been injured. More accurate, precise measures of the damage done by Mocha will have to wait till tomorrow, most probably.  

A 38-year-old rickshaw puller, who sustained burn injuries after being electrocuted by a live electric wire that was blown onto him by heavy winds caused by the cyclonic storm Mocha, died at Chattogram Medical College and Hospital on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Md Zahid, hailing from Lalmonirhat district. Quoting witnesses Md Akteruzzaman, senior station officer of Bayezid Fire Service and Civil Defence, said a live electric wire suddenly fell on him while he was sitting on his rickshaw during heavy wind at the  Oxygen intersection around 9:30 am. Fire erupted from the wire and he sustained burn injuries during the incident. Later, he was taken to Chattogram Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries at 3:30 pm, said sub-inspector Nurul Alam Ashek, in-charge of the Chattogram Medical College Hospital.    

The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha moved North-Northeastwards and crossed fully over the Bangladesh-Myanmar coast at 6pm on Sunday, weakening into a deep land depression near Sittwe in the neighbouring country. It is likely to move further inland and weaken gradually by precipitation (rainfall), said a Met Office bulletin. Maritime port of Cox’s Bazar has been advised to lower great danger signal No 10, and hoist local cautionary signal no 3. Also Read: Power, gas supply situation to improve in 2 days: Nasrul Maritime ports of Chattogram and Payra have been advised to lower great danger signal no. 8 and hoist local cautionary signal no. 3. Maritime port of Mongla has been similarly advised to lower local warning signal no. 4 and hoist local cautionary signal no. 3. Also Read: Cyclone Mocha weakens slightly, lies over Maynmar land: BMD All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay have been advised to remain in shelter till further notice.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (May 13, 2023) said that the government of Bangladesh has taken all necessary preparations to tackle cyclone Mocha. “Cyclone Mocha is approaching . We’ve kept ready the cyclone centres and taken all types of preparation to tackle it,” she said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 60th convention of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) as the chief guest on IEB premises. Hasina said that electricity and gas supply will be shut in the cyclone-hit areas to save lives. Also Read: Heavy rains may trigger landslides in Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram, 3 hill districts She said the move ( shutting gas and electricity supply) would cause temporary sufferings but it would save the lives of people. “We will take and are taking such measures,” she added. Maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been advised to hoist danger signal No 10, as the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha - over east central Bay and adjoining area is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction. Also Read: Great danger signal No 10 issued for Cox’s Bazar maritime port as cyclone Mocha approaches The maritime ports Mongla and Payra have been advised to hoist great danger signal number 8, and the maritime port of Mongla has been advised to keep hoisted local warning signal number 4. The very severe cyclonic storm 'Mocha' is likely to cross Cox's Bazar-Myanmar's north coast by 6 pm on May 14 (Sunday), said a special bulletin of the Met Office. Cox's Bazar and adjoining coastal areas will experience the peripheral effect of the very severe cyclonic storm by this evening. Also Read: Don’t have capacity to evacuate 1.2 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar: State Minister.