Many Killed as Deadly Cyclone Mora Hit Bangladesh

Cyclone Mora has hit the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh, killing at least five people as most of them were killed by falling trees in the districts of Cox's Bazar and Rangamati, officials said.

Cyclone Mora hit Bangladesh

 

Cyclone Mora has hit the south-eastern coast of Bangladesh, killing at least five people and destroying many houses.

 

Those who were killed in the districts of Cox’s Bazar and Rangamati were killed by falling trees an official said.

 

Significant damage is reported in refugee camps housing Rohingya Muslims from neighbouring Myanmar.

 

The authorities have moved hundreds of thousands of people to shelters.

 

 

Cyclone Mora made landfall between the fishing port of Cox’s Bazar and the city of Chittagong, with winds of up to 117 km/h (73mph).

 

Low-lying areas of Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong and many other coastal districts were “likely to be inundated” by a storm surge of 1.2m-1.5m (4-5ft) above normal levels, the department had warned.

 

People have been evacuated to shelters, schools and government offices.

 

Fishing boats and trawlers have been advised to remain in shelters. Flights in the area have been cancelled.

 

About 20,000 houses in refugee camps for Rohingya were damaged, community leader Abdus Salam told AFP news agency.

 

“In some places, almost every shanty home made of tin, bamboo and plastic has been flattened,” Mr Salam added. “Some people were injured, but no-one is dead.”

 

Large camps have been set up in Cox’s Bazar for hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled violence in Myanmar.

 

A clear picture is still not available due to poor communication with many affected areas, Bangladeshi officials said.

 

A number of houses were also damaged in western Myanmar.

 

Cyclone Mora will move northwards past Chittagong, weakening as it moves further inland and downgrading from a Category One hurricane to a tropical storm, tracking website Tropical Storm Risk forecasts.

 

-NAN