=====
Zomi says:
The paranoid thug-ologist government should not prevent individuals and
organiations who want to help the victims of this deadly cyclone.
=====
Hundreds feared dead in Myanmar cyclone
* Story Highlights
* NEW: Food, fuel scarce; emergency assistance needed, sources say
* Cyclone Nargis hits Myanmar's capital of Yangon over weekend
* Parts of Yangon still without electricity, phone service
* State of emergency has been declared in five regions by ruling
military junta
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- As many as 350 people are feared dead after a
tropical cyclone with winds up to 150 miles per hour slammed into Myanmar
over the weekend, according to local media reports.
=====
Pictures:
art.cyclone.tree.cnn.jpg
The powerful storm toppled this tree in Yangon, Myanmar, on Saturday.
Click to view previous image
1 of 3
Click to view next image
more photos »
=====
"We believe hundreds of people are dead," said Khin Maung Win with the
Democratic Voice of Burma -- a broadcast media group run by opposition
expatriates. "The entire lower Burma is affected. In some areas, entire
villages disappeared."
The activist group opposed the military rule in Myanmar, formerly known as
Burma.
The ruling junta declared a state of emergency in five regions: the city
of
Yangon, Irrawaddy, Pegu and the states of Karen and Mon. All flights to
Yangon, the former capital, were canceled. Learn more about Myanmar »
Cyclone Nargis tore off roofs, uprooted trees and downed power lines.
The storm ripped through the sprawling river delta city of Yangon for more
than 10 hours -- from Friday night until Saturday noon, said Burma
Democratic Concern. Video Watch the cyclone hammer Yangon »
By Sunday, many parts of the city were without electricity. Phone
connections were also down in most areas, making it difficult to assess
the
extent of the damage.
"Most Burmese with whom we've been in touch report they lost their roofs,
although so far everyone we have been able to contact reports that they
and
their families are safe," said a Yangon-based diplomat who requested
anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Pictures from inside the country showed a cyclone-ravaged region with tin
huts crushed under trees. Bicyclists navigated around large branches that
littered the deserted roads.
A man with his pant legs rolled up waded through knee-deep water and
strained to clear massive limbs that were blocking the entrance to a
house.
"The cleanup is beginning, but this will take a long time," the diplomat
said. "The damage around town is intense." Photo See photos of the
destruction »
"Fuel is not easily available. International emergency assistance would be
needed within seven days. There is no food for eating," Win said.
Food prices -- already on a dramatic rise -- climbed further. Long lines
could be seen at gas stations in Yangon. Many of the stations were
operating
on generators. At one gas station more than 100 buses lined up to refill.
"International emergency assistance would be needed within seven days,"
the
diplomat said.
The junta has scheduled a May 10 referendum on a new constitution for the
country, which came under sharp criticism from many nations for using
force
to suppress pro-democracy protests last year.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/05/04/myanmar.cyclone/?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail
=====
|
