Cyclone mocha hits Myanmar with winds equivalent to category five hurricane

Powerful winds and rain hit Myanmar on Sunday, 14 May, as cyclone mocha made landfall on Saturday, 13 May.

The cyclone formed on Wednesday in the Bay of Bengal, gradually strengthening with sustained winds of 161 mph.

Wind speeds were equivalent to a category five hurricane, the US Embassy in Myanmar said.

Thousands of people sought shelter on Sunday as the powerful storm slammed the country’s coast.

At least three people in Myanmar have died in the extreme weather conditions, according to local media.

Bangladeshi authorities said they had evacuated 1.27 million people from the storm’s predicted path.

Sign up for our newsletters.