The Bangladesh Meteorological Department on Sunday announced that Bangladesh is no longer under the primary threat of the very severe cyclonic storm Mocha.
The BMD stated the cyclone would mainly hit Myanmar, shifting its trajectory towards the south.
BMD chief Azizur Rahman confirmed that Mocha will primarily hit Myanmar, stating there is no immediate threat for Bangladesh.
He further clarified that the cyclone would traverse the mainland of Bangladesh, passing through the south at a distance of 50 to 60 kilometres from Teknaf.
However, the director expressed concern about severe conditions potentially being created on St Martin's Island and in Teknaf as the cyclone crosses the mainland of Bangladesh.
Mostafa Kamal Palash, a PhD researcher on weather and climate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, shared a Facebook post stating that fortunately, the low tied began when the centre of Mocha began to cross the area between St Martin's Island and Myanmar's Maungdaw.
In addition, the cyclone began to weaken at sea and as a result, it will not intensify significantly when it hits the mainland, he continued.
According to a met office bulletin, the maximum sustained wind speed within 74 kilometres of Mocha is about 195kmph rising to 215kmph in gusts.
As of 9am, the cyclone was located 250km south of Cox's Bazar seaport, 335km south and southwest of Chittagong seaport, 435km south and southeast of Mongla seaport and 350km south and southeast of Payra seaport.
However, its leading edge is crossing Cox's Bazar coast. The coastal areas have already begun experiencing stormy winds and rain under the cyclone's influence.
The met office said that due to the peripheral part of the cyclone and the difference in air pressure, the low-lying areas of Cox's Bazar and Chittagong, and their adjacent islands and chars could be inundated by storm surges 12 feet higher than the normal tide.
In addition, the low-lying areas of Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barisal, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna and their adjacent islands and chars could be inundated by storm surges more than seven feet above the normal tide.
The maritime port of Cox's Bazar was asked to hoist great danger signal No 10.
The maritime ports of Chittagong and Payra were told to hoist great danger signal No 8, while the maritime port of Mongla was advised to hoist local warning signal No 4.
The coastal district of Cox's Bazar and its offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 10, the BMD said.
Meanwhile, the coastal districts of Chittagong, Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chandpur, Barisal, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, Barguna, Bhola and their offshore islands and chars will come under great danger signal No 8.
Meanwhile, due to the storm's impact, heavy (44-88mm) to very heavy (89mm or more) rainfall may occur in the Chittagong, Sylhet, and Barisal divisions.
Landslides may occur in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and the hilly regions of Chittagong due to heavy rain.
All fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay of Bengal have been advised to stay at safe shelters until further instructions are given.