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Cyclone Mocha To Intensify Into "Very Severe" Storm Today, Bengal On Alert

Cyclone Mocha has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the southeast and adjoining areas of central Bay of Bengal, officials have said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has deployed eight teams and 200 rescuers in West Bengal to deal with any exigencies.

"We have deployed eight teams and 200 rescuers on the ground and 100 rescuers are on standby," said Gurminder Singh, Commandant, 2nd Battalion, NDRF.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has also placed its units in the region on high alert.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), which closely monitors the cyclonic storm, said the cyclone will gradually intensify into a severe cyclone by Sunday.

It's expected to make landfall along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, packing winds of up to 150-160 km per hour.

The IMD has predicted a storm surge of 1.5-2 metres for the low-lying coastal region of Bangladesh near Cox's Bazaar.

The weather office has asked fishermen and travellers not to venture into central and northeast Bay of Bengal and north Andaman sea till Sunday, officials said, adding that the emergency operation centres are working round the clock to handle any natural calamities.

Alert has been issued for some northeastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well under the influence of the weather system.

Tripura and Mizoram are likely to get heavy showers tomorrow onwards, while Nagaland, Manipur and south Assam will also witness rain at isolated places on Sunday, the IMD said,

The name 'Mocha' has been suggested by Yemen based on a small fishing village in the country known for its coffee production. Weather forecasters give each tropical cyclone a name to avoid confusion.