- Coastal Communities of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar struggle with the devastating impact of cyclone Mocha originating in the Northern Indian Ocean.
- It is the first occurrence of a destructive cyclone in 2023 on the Indian Ocean, initiating the expulsion of more than a million lives in Myanmar alone.
Formation and Intensification of The Cyclone
Mocha cyclone emerges from the Indian Ocean’s depths and sets sights on the Bay of Bengal, catching India Meteorological Department‘s Attention on May 8th. Within Five Days, It Swiftly Intensifies into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, peaking at Category 5-equivalent intensity on May 14th with furious winds (280 km/h). Consequently, heavy rainfall triggered on the eastern coast of India. According to a recent analysis, 400,000 people were displaced from affected regions of Myanmar and the country appears to have borne the direct impact of Cyclone Mocha, as winds of speed up to 210 kph ripped away tin roofs and brought down a communications tower.
Disruption Of Lives Amidst Havoc
Myanmar: As Cyclone Mocha struck the Rakhine coast on Sunday, fallen trees and power lines caused widespread damage to structures and blocked many roads, also disrupting internet access. The path of Cyclone Mocha poses a threat to over 16 million individuals, including 1,751,284 people residing in areas expected to face sustained wind speeds exceeding 120 km/h. Additionally, there are over 1 million internally displaced people in the Northwest region.
Bangladesh: Approximately 2.3 million people, including both Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees, are within the storm’s impact area. The intensity of the storm is projected to increase before making landfall between Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Kyaukpyu in Myanmar by Sunday.
India: The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for strong winds in Gangetic West Bengal State on a three-tier scale. Thunderstorms, heavy rain, lightning, and strong winds are also expected in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from May 12 to May 14.
Data sources: UNICEF, ECHO, India Meteorological Department.
The Plight of Rohingya Refugees
The Rohingya refugees, a stateless ethnic group that predominantly practices Islam residing in Myanmar, have experienced immense displacement. Following the Rohingya genocide in 2017, over 740,000 fled to Bangladesh, leaving behind an estimated 1.4 million Rohingya in Myanmar. Unfortunately, now they are internally displaced from southern Bangladesh and Myanmar to the northwest regions.
Aid: Ahead of the cyclone, the World Food Programme (WFP) assisted both Bangladeshis and Rohingya refugees, including cash and fortified biscuits. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and humanitarian agencies prepositioned food supplies and stand ready to provide daily meals for up to 50,000 individuals. With medical teams, volunteers, cyclone shelters, and provisions in place, efforts are underway to support the 30,000 Rohingya refugees on the island for 15 days.
A Reminder: Minor Signs of The Hour
‘Weather patterns will change according to a hadeeth of The Messenger. You will have severe winters and severe summers. You will have lots of hurricanes.’- minor signs
The occurrence of the cyclone can be seen as a minor sign of the Hour, as mentioned in Islamic teachings. In Islam, it is believed that various natural phenomena and disasters are among the signs indicating the approach of the Day of Judgment. The cyclone serves as a reminder of the transient nature of life, emphasizing the need for reflection, preparation, and turning toward Allah s.w.t.
Surah Ar-Rum (30:41): “Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].”
Surah Ar-Rum (30:50): “So look at the effects of Allah’s mercy – how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness. Indeed, that [same one] will give life to the dead, and He is over all things competent.”
