A stronger Tropical Cyclone Mora neared landfall between Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong, Bangladesh.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Cyclone Mora was located at latitude 21.8°N and longitude 91.9°E which put it about 90 miles (145 km) south of Chittagong, Bangladesh.  Mora was moving toward the north at 18 m.p.h. (29 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 974 mb.  Tropical Cyclone Mora was the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon.

The inner core of Tropical Cyclone Mora organized quickly on Monday.  The primary rainband wrapped entirely around the center of circulation and an eye formed.  Additional bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the core Tropical Cyclone Mora.  Thunderstorms near the core of Mora generated strong upper level divergence which pumped out mass and allowed the surface pressure to decrease.  The decrease of pressure caused the surface winds to increase to hurricane/typhoon intensity.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon strength extended out about 25 miles (40 km) from the center.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out about 150 miles (240 km) from the center.  The strongest winds were occurring in the eyewall and over the Bay of Bengal.

Tropical Cyclone Mora is moving around the western end of a subtropical ridge.  The ridge is steering Mora toward the north and that general motion is expected to continue for another 12 to 18 hours.  On its anticipated track the center of Tropical Cyclone Mora will move near the coast of Bangladesh between Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong.  The center is likely to make landfall near Chittagong during the next few hours.

The recent intensification of Tropical Cyclone Mora has made it a more dangerous storm.  The increased wind speed will increase the potential for wind damage.  In addition, stronger winds will increase the height of the storm surge along the coast.  A storm surge of 6 to 9 feet (2 to 3 meters) will be possible along the coast between Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong.  The increase in organization of the core has also created the potential for heavier rain and greater fresh water flooding of rivers and streams.

Tropical Cyclone Mora will start to weaken after the center makes landfall.  However, it will continue to generate areas of heavy rain while it moves inland over Bangladesh and northeastern India.