A strong storm, with wind speeds reaching 175 kilometers per hour, is heading towards the eastern coasts of Bangladesh and Myanmar, threatening about one million Rohingya refugees and other residents in low-lying areas. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department indicated that Cyclone "Mocha" is likely to strengthen before making landfall in the region between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Myanmar tomorrow, Sunday.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that "Mocha," classified as a severe cyclonic storm, is expected to carve a path through Rakhine State in Myanmar and northwestern Myanmar, where six million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, along with 1.2 million displaced individuals.
Mohammad Shamsul Dhuja, a government official in charge of refugee affairs in Bangladesh, emphasized, "We are focused on saving lives... Those at risk of landslides will be evacuated." He added, "Thousands of workers and volunteers from local communities, along with medical teams and rescue crews, have already been deployed in preparation for any operations."
Thousands from both countries have fled to safer areas ahead of the storm.
