Cyclone Mocha getting closer to Myanmar’s Sittwe

Super cyclonic storm Mocha was approaching the Myanmar coast of Sittwe with great speed on Sunday morning.

The centre of the cyclone was 95km from Sittwe and 125km from the St Martin's Island of Cox's Bazar at 10:30am when the wind speed was 260kmph, according to cyclone observer satellites.

On Sunday morning, Cyclone Mocha's outer band reached the coast of Rakhine State, Myanmar. By Sunday afternoon, the storm's centre is forecast to make landfall close to Sittwe township, which is on the highest weather alert, according to Myanmar's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.

It has been drizzling in the coastal regions since Saturday, locals said. A strong storm and high tidal waves may hit the areas when the cyclone gets nearer and makes landfall in Myanmar.

The government has evacuated hundreds of thousands of people in the coastal areas, including the southernmost island, as part of its all-out preparations.

Tin Nyein Oo, who is assisting people in shelters in Sittwe, said more than 4,000 of the 300,000 citizens of the town had been evacuated to neighbouring towns since Friday, and more than 20,000 people were taking refuge in strong structures like monasteries, pagodas and schools located on the city's highlands.

Many of the locals lived in areas over three meters above sea level, places where they believed the storm surge could reach, he added.

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