<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">The coastal areas are bracing as wind speed at the centre of the severe cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’ -- which is brewing over the southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas – is rising and likely to make a landfall in Bangladesh coast on Sunday.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to a Bangladesh Meteorological Department’s special bulletin on Friday morning, maximum sustained wind speed within 74km of the cyclone centre is about 120 kph rising to 140 kph in gusts or squalls. Sea will remain high near the centre of the severe cyclone.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The severe cyclonic storm is likely to further intensify in coming hours and it has moved further north-northeastwards.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It was centred at 6:00 am on May 12 about 1095 kms south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1025 kms south-southwest of Cox's bazar port, 1055 kms south-southwest of Mongla port and 1020 kms south-southwest of Payra port.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The maritime ports of Cox’s Bazar, Chattogram and Mongla have been advised to keep hoisted distant warning signal no-2 (two).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, local administration of the coastal district of Cox’s Bazar has already taken all out preparations to bring down the loss of lives and properties ahead of the landfall as the district is likely to be the most affected.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Muhammad Shaheen Imran, deputy commissioner of the district, said they chalked out all kinds of preparations, considering the possible loss of lives before the cyclone hits the region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A total of 576 cyclone centres were prepared for sheltering 5,50,990 people, he said, adding that an emergency control room was also opened.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said Tk 10.30 lakh, 490 tonnes of rice and 194 bundles of corrugated iron sheet have been readied for humanitarian help during the disaster.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Moreover, Tk 100,000, 50 tonnes of rice, 7 tonnes of dry foods have been allocated by the Disaster Management and Relief Ministry to face the disaster, the DC said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In Khulna, Local administration has kept 409 cyclone centres prepared for sheltering 2,73,850 people while at least 446 cyclone shelters have been prepared in Bagerhat district to accommodate people while 98% of boro paddy has been harvested in the district.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, the Bhola district administration has prepared in three phases to deal with cyclone Mokha.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Deputy Commissioner Md. Tawfiq-e-Lahi Chowdhury said eight control rooms have been opened in Bhola.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As many as 746 shelters have been kept ready. About 563,000 people can take shelter. In addition, 13,600 CPPs and 5,000 Red Crescent volunteers are on standby.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">About 90 percent of the fishermen who went to fish in the sea have already returned to the shore and the fisheries department and coast guard are working to bring back the remaining fishermen.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, Chandpur local administration is carrying out an awareness campaign in river coastal areas to alert the people regarding the situation and also to prepare them for the effects during and after cyclone 'Mocha’. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>