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
End of Year Travel Expected to Break Records

End of Year Travel Expected to Break Records

As 2025 comes to an end, many people are expe

10 Dec 2025 10:45 PM
River Flooding Threat Remains Possible for Northwest

River Flooding Threat Remains Possible for Northwest

NORTHWEST - An atmospheric river aimed at the

10 Dec 2025 10:05 PM
Next Clipper May Bring Ice to High Plains

Next Clipper May Bring Ice to High Plains

Our next clipper system is set to move throug

10 Dec 2025 10:00 PM
Here Comes Another Push of Arctic Air

Here Comes Another Push of Arctic Air

The Northern Tier of the country is no strang

10 Dec 2025 9:45 PM
Blizzard Alerts Issued In West Virginia

Blizzard Alerts Issued In West Virginia

NORTHEAST - The northeastern U.S. is in for s

10 Dec 2025 9:30 PM
Record Warmth Out West, Except for California's Central Valley

Record Warmth Out West, Except for California's Central Valley

Strong upper-level ridging off the coast of C

10 Dec 2025 8:43 PM
Overnight Snow for the Colorado Rockies

Overnight Snow for the Colorado Rockies

DENVER, CO - Denver saw its first significant

6 Dec 2025 3:30 AM