Thousands of people hunkered down today in monasteries, pagodas and schools, seeking shelter from a powerful storm that slammed into the coast of Myanmar, tearing the roofs off buildings and killing at least three people.

Storm surges whipped up by a powerful cyclone moving inland from the Bay of Bengal inundated the Myanmar port city of Sittwe today, with winds of up to 210 kph (130 mph) ripping away tin roofs and bringing down a communications tower.

The “eye” or the centre point of most powerful cyclone Mocha in two decades made its landfall in south-eastern coastline ahead of the speculated timeline, making its way through the Naf River that divided Bangladesh and Myanmar..“The ‘eye’ or the centre point of the cyclone made its landfa

The wind speed in St Martin’s Island reached a maximum of 121 kilometres per hour at 2:00pm today as Cyclone Mocha was moving over the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas in a north-northeastwards direction.

As Cyclone Mocha approaches Teknaf, residents of Shah Porir Dwip were seen reinforcing their homes

There was no significant threat of a major tidal surge from Cyclone Mocha as of 1:00pm today.

The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over the northeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas moved north-northeastwards over the same area with reduced wind speed

The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha started crossing Cox’s Bazar-north Myanmar coast, according to the latest bulletin of Bangladesh Meteorological Department.

The risk of severe Cyclone Mocha has decreased for Bangladesh as the severe cyclonic storm is heading towards Myanmar, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department

Cyclone Mocha, classes as a severe cyclonic storm, is likely to make landfall between 12 noon and 3:00pm today, the Met office said

Under the influence of Cyclone Mocha, winds are getting stronger in St Martin's Island

The very severe cyclonic storm Mocha over east central Bay and adjoining areas moved north-northeast wards, and intensified over northeast Bay and adjoining areas

The authorities of Khulna University and Khulna Agricultural University suspended all academic activities including exams for today, in line with a notice of the Education Ministry, due to the effect of the cyclonic storm Mocha which is likely to hit the Bangladesh coast between 9:00am to 3:00pm

With a maximum wind speed of 210kmph, the cyclone is expected to cross Cox's Bazar-North Myanmar's coast between 9:00am to 3:00pm

The Indian Met Department today forecast that extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha was likely to gather more power later in the early hours today with a wind speed increasing to 210 to 220km per hour gusting up to 240km per hour

The peripheral effect of Cyclone Mocha will be felt in the coastal regions of the Chattogram and Barishal divisions from around midnight, said the latest weather bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department

Cyclone Mocha is approaching the coastal areas of Bangladesh and Myanmar with a maximum wind speed of 200 kmph, said the latest weather bulletin of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department

At least 1,27,000 people have been evacuated across Cox's Bazar district so far till 7:00pm tonight

The Rangamati district administration has issued an emergency landslide warning as Cyclone Mocha approaches

Police headquarters today requested to contact the nearest police station or 999 for availing any services related to 'cyclonic storm Mocha'.