People have started returning home from shelters after the storm hit Cox's Bazar, though the cyclone warning is still in effect.
People who are leaving shelters and going back home claim that local officials have instructed them to return home after the cyclone passed.
Kutubdia resident Nurul Islam: "My house was destroyed in the cyclone. I have been in the shelter since yesterday (Saturday). There are various problems in the shelter, so want to go home as soon as possible."
Another local named Yasmin from the same area said: "Chairman and members told us to go home. That's why we are going back home. Because staying at home is better than staying at a shelter."
Meanwhile, Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran said: “The danger signal is still in effect in the sea. As a result, the people who took shelter have been prohibited from returning home. The reason why people are leaving is not clear.”
Meanwhile, Cyclone Mocha has calmed down after the day-long rampage. Coastal areas, including Teknaf, and Saint Martin's Island in Cox's Bazar, have suffered extensive damage.
Cyclone Mocha hit Cox's Bazar around 9am on Sunday. The wind intensity gradually increased there. In the afternoon, Mocha hit Saint Martin's Island and the Teknaf coast. By evening, the winds had stopped; there was no dead sea and no tides were created.
Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Shaheen Imran said: "10,000 houses have been destroyed in Mocha in the district due to the cyclone. 1,200 shack houses were destroyed on Saint Martin's Island. Besides, trees were uprooted in the Sabrang area of Shahpari Island in Teknaf and Saint Martin's Island. However, no casualties were reported.”
The deputy commissioner also said that this is a primary calculation.
Cox's Bazar Meteorological Office Chief Abdur Rahman said: "The impact of cyclone Mocha is starting to diminish as of this evening. However, there is a possibility of rough seas and rain for the next two days."
According to the Cox's Bazar District Administration control room, 250,000 people have taken shelter in various shelters on the coast and in the homes of their relatives. These sheltered people will return home when the signal goes down.
Earlier, the Cox's Bazar administration reported that around 8,600 volunteers from the Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) and 2,200 volunteers from the Red Crescent Society were assisting people in reaching the shelters.
A total of 37 government establishments, including the offices of the Navy, coast guard and police, were prepared as cyclone shelters.
For emergency situations, Tk20 lakh has been allocated, of which Tk10 lakh were dispatched to different upazilas.
In addition, 5.90 metric tons of rice, 3.5 metric tons of toast biscuits, 3.4 metric tons of dry cake, 194 bundles of tarpaulin, 20,000 packets of oral rehydration solution (ORS) saline, and 40,000 water purification tablets are stocked.
In total, 576 shelters were prepared, with a capacity to accommodate 559,900 people.
From Saturday morning, medical teams, the coast guard, navy, police, water police, district police, fire service, Red Crescent Society volunteers, scout teams, Ansar forces, and all other related agencies were instructed to be fully prepared.
A control room has been established at the deputy commissioner's office. The mobile number for the control room is: 01872615132.
