Cyclone Mocha Hits Myanmar as a CAT 4 Over the Weekend

news image
Special Stories
17 May 2023 6:19 PM

Cyclone Mocha struck Myanmar on May 14 in Sittwe, Myanmar as the equivalent of a CAT 4 hurricane, bringing widespread damaging winds and storm surge. Storm surge was on the order of 10-12 feet! Local news is reported flooded streets and immense wind damage. There are reports of extensive damage and casualties as a result of the storm.

The CAT 4 struck the area of Cox's Bazar, which is one of the world's largest refugee camps, home to over 1 million refugees in Myanmar. According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),

"There is no confirmation yet of damage levels in the northern townships of Maungdaw and Buthidaung where more than half of the shelters are either temporary or semi-permanent, placing households at very high risk in case they were not able to reach evacuation centres."

There are failures in the telecommunication systems, leading to the lack of confirmation of casualties and damage extent. Just ahead of landfall the storm contained winds of 175 mph, the equivalent of a CAT 5 storm. It went under a period of rapid intensification on May 14, and is tied for the strongest cyclone on record in the North Indian Ocean basin.

Atlantic Hurricane Season is only 13 days away - stay with WeatherNation as we bring you the most up to date forecast.

All Weather News
More
Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

Severe Storms Return to the Southern Plains Friday & Saturday

TEXAS - A renewed threat of severe weather i

29 May 2026 10:40 AM
Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

Heavy Rain and Flooding Threat Continues Across the South

More rounds of heavy rain are expected to mov

29 May 2026 10:00 AM
Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Northern Plains Heat Pushes into Upper Midwest

Record high temperatures have been breaking s

28 May 2026 7:15 PM
Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

Severe Storms Threaten Nation's Capital

The Storm Prediction Center has highlighted a

27 May 2026 11:35 PM
Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Target the Southeast

WHAT TO EXPECTHeavy rain has already hit nume

24 May 2026 8:00 PM
NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

NOAA Releases Summer Outlook, Above Average Temperatures Expected

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administ

24 May 2026 3:00 PM
Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

Severe Storms Persist in the Southern Plains, Gulf Coast

Several rounds of storms have been swinging t

23 May 2026 6:45 PM