Dense cloud has been gathering over the skies of Bagerhat since Saturday morning

File Photo Of Mongla Port Dhaka Tribune

The Mongla Port authorities have taken all kinds of preparation to tackle very severe cyclonic storm Mocha.

Mongla Port Harbour Master Captain Mohammad Shaheen Majid on Saturday said the port had issued its own alert-2 and instructed all officers and employees to remain vigilant. 

For safety measures, lighter vessels at Mongla Port have been relocated, said the harbour master. 

However, cargo unloading was still ongoing from several ships docked at the port till Saturday afternoon, he added. 

Adding to his statements, Mohammad Shaheen Majid noted that the port currently hosts seven foreign and 11 domestic vessels, and even the small lighters, barges, and coasters docked nearby for goods collection have been directed to shift to safer locations.  

As Cyclone Mocha makes its way towards the Bangladesh coast, dense cloud has been gathering over the skies of Bagerhat since Saturday morning.

Despite the heat and humidity, there have been no reports of rain or gusty winds in the district yet and the rivers Pasur, Baleshwar, and Bhairab, among others in the district, are flowing normally.

In preparation for Cyclone Mocha, the Bagerhat administration has taken comprehensive measures. 

Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Azizur Rahman said that leave for all government officials and employees in the district has been cancelled. 

The deputy commissioner said a total of 446 cyclone shelters have been readied in the nine upazilas of the district which can accommodate 235,975 people. 

A control room has been set up in the district headquarters and each upazila, he said. 

A total of 84 medical teams, including volunteers from Red Crescent, fire service and several NGOs are ready for assistance, the DC said. 

“Around 522 tons of rice and cash of Tk10 lakh have been allocated for relief distribution,” he added. 

The maritime port of Cox's Bazar has been asked to hoist great danger signal no 10 lowering the previous great danger signal no eight (8).

The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction and cross Cox's Bazar-North Myanmar's coast between 6am to 6pm on Sunday.