Massive Evacuation Efforts Launched in Bangladesh as Cyclone Mocha Approaches

Bangladesh has launched a major evacuation operation as Cyclone Mocha, a dangerous category four storm, threatens the country. The cyclone, expected to weaken before making landfall, poses a severe threat to coastal areas, including Cox's Bazar, home to the world's largest refugee encampment. Authorities have already moved around 190,000 people in Cox's Bazar and nearly 100,000 in Chittagong to safety. Additionally, 55 shelters have been set up on the Bhasan Char offshore island, where Rohingya refugees have been relocated. Fishing boat operators in the Bay of Bengal have been instructed to stay close to the shore.

Key takeaways:

• Cyclone Mocha, rated as a dangerous category four storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, is approaching Bangladesh.
• Authorities have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people from the coasts of Myanmar and Bangladesh.
• Cox's Bazar, the city housing the world's largest refugee encampment, has prepared over 550 shelters.
• The evacuation operation aims to relocate approximately 500,000 individuals along the southeastern coastlines.
• Bangladesh has set up shelters on the Bhasan Char offshore island, where Rohingya refugees have been relocated.
• Fishing boat operators have been advised to stay close to the shore.
• The cyclone is expected to weaken before making landfall, but it still poses a severe threat.