By India Today News Desk: Cyclone Mocha, the season’s first cyclonic storm of the North Indian Ocean, has taken shape over the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify into a “very severe” cyclonic storm. According to predictions made by the weather office, Cyclone Mocha is expected to make landfall somewhere along the Bangladesh-Mynanmar border on Sunday (May 14). Several states, especially West Bengal, are on alert for heavy rainfall as Cyclone Mocha makes its progress. Here’s what we know as of today (May 12) about Cyclone Mocha.

When and where will Cyclone Mocha make landfall?

Cyclone Mocha has been predicted to make landfall between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu, close to port city Sittwe in Myanmar, by Sunday. Cox’s Bazar encompasses the world’s largest refugee camp, sheltering over 9 lakh Rohingya Muslims who fled the persecution and violence Myanmar in August 2017.

The fishermen, ships, boats and trawlers in the area have been advised to not venture into central and northeast Bay of Bengal and north Andaman Sea till Sunday by the weather office.

How will Cyclone Mocha impact India?

As of Friday, Cyclone Mocha has turned aggressive over the southeast and adjoining areas of central Bay of Bengal. Though it is likely to make a landfall along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border, the northeastern parts of India are also highly vulnerable to its effects.

The authorities have issued a high alert in the northeastern states and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

As per the IMD predictions, Tripura and Mizoram will receive heavy showers Saturday onwards. Nagaland, Manipur and south Assam will be hit by rains at isolated places on Sunday. Kerala, Odisha and Karnataka will also receive moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.

NDRF teams arrived in Digha, West Bengal on Friday noon to monitor the likely untoward situation. The officials have reassured that the emergency operation centres are working round the clock to handle any natural calamities.

What path will Cyclone Mocha take?

In its latest release, the IMD stated that Cyclone Mocha has moved over the Southeast adjoining central Bay of Bengal towards North with a speed of 9 km/hr within the past 6 hours and turned into a severe cyclonic storm. It is very likely to move North-Northeastwards and intensify further over the East-central part of Bay of Bengal, it stated.

It is further predicted to cross Southeast Bangladesh and Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar by May 14, as a very severe cyclone, with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 km/hr gusting to 175 km/hr.

Where does the name ‘Mocha’ come from?

Like every other tropical cyclone, ‘Mocha’ was named by weather forecasters to avoid confusion and keep clear records. Names of cyclones taking shape in the North Indian Ocean are given by a set of 13 countries in rotation. Cyclone Mocha was named by Yemen after a small fishing village in the country that’s known for its coffee production.