Massive evacuations in B'desh as Cyclonic storm MORA likely to intensify

Thousands were issued a warning to evacuate near some coastal areas in Bangladesh as the Cyclonic storm 'MORA' is expected to intensify and hit the coast between Cox's Bazar and Chittagong by Tuesday morning.

The Met office has advised to hoist Great Danger Signal No 10 at coastal areas including Chittagong, Cox's Bazar, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Feni and Chandpur as Cyclone Mora heads towards Bangladesh's coasts, reports the Dhaka Triune.

Danger Signal No 8 has been issued for the districts of Bhola, Borguna, Patuakhali, Barisal, Pirojpur, Jhalakathi, Bagherhat, Khulna, Satkhira and the two coastal ports in Mongla and Payra.

Mora was centred at around 385km south of Chittagong port and 305km south of Cox's Bazar port around 7pm on Monday, said a report published on the website of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

Cyclonic storm 'MORA' centred over eastcentral Bay of Bengal has moved northward with a speed of 11 kilometre per hour.