Half a million people are being urgently evacuated from southeastern Bangladesh, including the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, as a dangerous cyclone named Mocha approaches.
Winds are expected to reach 170 km/h (106 mph) and storm surges of up to 3.6m (12 ft), raising fears of possible destruction and loss of life. The region is bracing for the most powerful storm in two decades, as officials prepare to evacuate vulnerable populations and prepare for the aftermath.
It has already started raining in the camp, raising red warning flags. Cyclone Mocha is likely to be the most powerful cyclone to hit Bangladesh in nearly 20 years. As the weather system approaches the Bangladesh-Myanmar coastline, nearby airports have been closed, fishermen have been ordered to suspend operations, and 1,500 shelters have been set up to protect vulnerable populations. can be moved to a safe place.
Cox’s Bazar Additional Deputy Commissioner Vibhushan Kantidas affirmed his readiness to face any threat while stressing the objective of protecting every life. Throughout the day, families are being herded together at designated cyclone shelters, with hundreds sheltering in classrooms at a local school in Cox’s Bazar. Some have brought their meager possessions in plastic bags, while others have arrived with their livestock.
Jannat, a 17-year-old mother, expressed her fears as she sought shelter, having experienced the devastation caused by Cyclone Sethring last year. Rohingya refugees, numbering nearly a million, who fled Myanmar and now live in small bamboo shelters with tarpaulin covers, are at significant risk. The United Nations is trying to protect these vulnerable areas.
The Bangladeshi government bans refugees from leaving the camps, leaving many uncertain and fearful of the possible consequences if their shelters are hit by the storm. Mohammad Rafiq, living in a small bamboo shelter built for refugees, admits to limited protection against strong winds and heavy rains. Praying for their safety, he hopes that this time their homes will be spared.
Meteorologists predict that the storm will bring torrential rains, posing a serious risk of landslides for those living in mountain camps, where landslides are a frequent occurrence. The Bangladeshi government and NGOs are working to ensure that centers are as prepared as possible for the storm. However, resettling a million refugees presents considerable challenges.
Because the effects of climate change on storm frequency are still unclear, it is known that rising sea surface temperatures fuel the intensity of hurricanes, hurricanes, and typhoons by providing more energy. As a result, rainfall increases and weather events increase. With global temperatures already 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels, urgent measures to reduce emissions are imperative to reduce further warming.