Myanmar and Bangladesh have been hit by the impact of Cyclone Mocha, an extremely severe cyclone that made landfall on Sunday. The storm, which struck Rakhine state near Sittwe township, had wind speeds of 209 km per hour and has killed at least three people. The outermost band of the cyclone has already reached Myanmar, while the centre of the storm is expected to land near Sittwe township, under the highest weather alert. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch, tweeted that the cyclone will pose unique threats to Myanmar’s displacement camps, home to around 700,000 Rohingya Muslims. In Bangladesh, aid workers have prepositioned dry food and dozens of ambulances with mobile medical teams in the refugee camps, where more than 1 million Rohingya live.
Climate scientists have warned that cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, including Cyclone Mocha, are becoming more intense more quickly, due in part to climate change. A powerful tropical storm, made worse by climate change, has left a trail of destruction, killing at least 26 people in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Cyclone Amphan is the strongest storm ever reported in the Bay of Bengal region, having brought ferocious wind and rain to areas already hit by a surge in Covid-19 infections.
More than 20,000 people are seeking shelter in Myanmar, with many taking refuge in sturdy buildings such as monasteries, pagodas, and schools. In total, over 4,000 people from Sittwe, with a population of 300,000, have been evacuated since Friday. More than 300 homes have been destroyed or damaged in Bangladesh, and more than 300,000 people are now living in emergency shelters. Although more than 1,500 cyclone shelters have been established, Bangladesh Meteorological Department warns that the cyclone could cause severe damage to lives and property in eight coastal districts. The navy has 21 ships, maritime patrol aircraft, and helicopters ready for rescue operations.
Cyclones are among the world’s most devastating natural disasters, especially as they impact densely populated coastal regions. In May 2008, Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000 people in Myanmar. The country’s delta region was left in a state of ruin after the disaster. Now, in the midst of a pandemic and facing the worst cyclone in the Bay of Bengal region, even more lives are at risk.
The United Nations has reported that two million people are at risk, with extensive damage and losses expected in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The UN’s World Food Programme is working with the Bangladesh Navy to provide emergency assistance, but the coronavirus outbreak is complicating relief efforts. Much of the affected area is cut off from telephone and internet service after high winds destroyed cellphone towers.
The plight of the Rohingya adds to the region’s challenges. More than 1 million Rohingya are living in precarious conditions in Bangladesh, and the cyclone is posing a unique threat to these displacement camps. Rohingya humanitarian agencies are now working to help around 30,000 refugees displaced as a result of the storm.
As concerns grow over climate change, it is becoming increasingly clear that cyclones in the Bay of Bengal are becoming more intense more quickly. The region must prepare for the impact of these storms, as densely populated regions are particularly vulnerable.
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