India: 23 killed by Cyclone Mora on May 29

Event

The tropical depression located over the Bay of Bengal intensified into Cyclone Mora on Monday, May 29, and is expected to make landfall in Bangladesh’s Chittagong division on Tuesday afternoon. Heavy rainfall is also expected in northeastern India, including the state of Odisha. As of 18:00 (local time) on Monday, May 29, reports indicated that at least 23 people had already been killed by severe thunderstorms in Bihar, with around 250 buildings damaged. Parts of West Bengal, including Kolkata, are forecast to receive moderate rainfall May 29-30. Sustained winds may reach 60 km/h (40 mph).

Context

India’s southwest monsoon starts in late May and continues through July, when the northeast monsoon takes over through September.

Advice

Individuals present in the affected regions are advised to follow all instructions as issued by local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given. Monitor any relevant developments of the situation via local media, the authorities, and reliable weather reporting outlets. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous – 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult – and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs disposed of.