Weather department sounds alarm on Cyclone Hamoon

By Admin 24 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
24 October 2023, Maungdaw
 
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has advised residents of northern Arakan State to take precautions as the cyclonic storm Hamoon, originating over the Bay of Bengal, looked to be on an east-northeast trajectory.
 
“Cyclonic storm Hamoon is predicted to pass north of Chittagong, Bangladesh. However, we must be aware of the speed of the storm as far as Maungdaw in northern Arakan State,” U Hla Tun, director of the DMH, told DMG.
 
He added that the northern townships of Arakan State including Rathedaung, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Ponnagyun, and Pauktaw may also experience rain, storm surges and strong winds.
 
“Farmers have to be careful of the rain due to the speed of the storm,” U Hla Tun explained. “Especially in the northern areas of Arakan State, there is a possibility of heavy rainfall, so local people need to be careful when it comes to their crops.”
 
“Some of the paddy is ripe, and if the paddy plants die due to heavy rains, the farmers will suffer,” said U Tun Tin Soe, the administrator of Cheinkhalain Village in Rathedaung Township. “We are worried that if there is a strong wind when the paddy buds are coming out, the paddy plants will be damaged.”
 
Shwe Pyi Tan ferry boat services plying water routes between Sittwe and Kyaukphyu, Buthidaung, Minbya and Mrauk-U in Arakan State were being suspended effective October 25 and would resume operations on October 26, conditions permitting, according to an official from the ferry boat service.