Bangladesh, five people were killed as Cyclone Mora made landfall in Kutubdia of Cox’s Bazar this morning. Government sources said at least 20,000 homes, mostly in Cox’s Bazar and St. Martin Island areas have been damaged. A navy ship is on the way to St Martin with relief supplies.

Authorities have instructed the army and air force to join the relief operations as they gear up to evacuate over half a million people from the coastal areas.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, the storm over Northeast Bay of Bengal moved further North-Northeastward. It said, the latest observations indicate that it crossed Bangladesh coast about 30 km south of Chittagong this morning. The MeT office said, the system is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards towards northeastern states and weaken into a cyclonic storm and then into a deep depression.

In Odisha, rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at many places including coastal and interior parts of the state during next 24 hours under the impact of Cyclone Mora. Advice for hoisting Distant Warning Signal Number Two (DW-II) at Paradip and Gopalpur ports has been issued. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon today hit Kerala and the Northeast, two days ahead of the scheduled arrival of the crucial seasonal rainfall. IMD said, Cyclone Mora, which hit the Bangladesh coast today, aided the advance of the monsoon.The normal onset date for the monsoon in Kerala, which marks its official arrival in the country, is June 1.

Early arrival of Monsoon will bring cheer to farmers, especially from the drought-hit states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka.

Southwest monsoon will further advance into remaining parts of south Arabian Sea, Lakshadweep area and Kerala, some parts of central Arabian Sea, coastal and south interior Karnataka. It is also likely to advance into some more parts of Tamil Nadu