Myanmar Cyclone Deaths Hit 4,000, Expected to Rise

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Myanmar Cyclone Deaths Hit 4,000, Expected to Rise

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Myanmar is located in southern Asia

NATURAL DISASTER: Official government agencies reported nearly 4,000 people died from a cyclone that struck Myanmar on Saturday. The death toll is expected to rise as new information from the hardest-hit areas becomes available.

The military’s control in Myanmar has isolated the nation from other countries, especially pro-democracy countries in the West. This political tension could interfere with the delivery and distribution of emergency aid to 24 million people living in disaster areas.

by Mike Maxwell
Informify Staff Writer
May 6, 2008

Military Rule in Myanmar Complicates Disaster

Myanmar, also sometimes called Burma, is located in Southeast Asia. Twenty-four million people— slightly less than half the country’s population—live in regions that are now classified as disaster areas. Thousands have been killed by the storm and hundreds of thousands are affected by lack of shelter, food and medicine. Prices of food and fuel have already doubled in the capitol city of Yangon since the cyclone.

Large-scale disasters such as this cyclone create many problems for Myanmar:

immediate death toll
destruction of homes, businesses and other buildings
loss of electricity
damaged or obstructed roads complicate delivery of aid
food shortages
disease
homelessness

These problems are especially complicated in Myanmar, where the military has held control since the mid-1960s. The ruling political party often violently suppresses any opposition. For instance, nearly nine months ago groups of monks led pro-democracy rallies in Myanmar. The military quickly shut down the rallies, killing more than 30 people and arresting dozens.

Aid agencies from all over the world have already offered help to Myanmar’s military-controlled government. The response has been slow so far. While aid agencies stand by, the military appears to be focused on maintaining order and beginning the initial delivery of basic needs.

Government Will Not Delay Elections

A national constitutional referendum is planned for May 10, 2008, and will not be delayed according to Myanmar’s government. The referendum was controversial before the cyclone hit the country. Although the government claims that the new constitution will allow for more democratic elections in the future, many critics of the military junta say that it will only give the military greater control.

If the referendum continues as planned, it is unknown how this disaster will affect the outcome of the election.

Sources

Cyclone death toll nears 4,000 in Myanmar, state radio says (AP)

Aid effort for cyclone-hit Burma (BBC)

Myanmar Death Toll Reported at Nearly 4,000 (New York Times)

Cyclone kills nearly 4,000 in Myanmar (Reuters)

Question for Readers:

Do you see any similarities between the Myanmar disaster and Hurricane Katrina in 2005?

What is a Cyclone?

For scientists who study weather patterns, “cyclone” is a very broad term. The name given to storms is often dependent on where they occur. A hurricane is a kind of cyclone that forms usually in the western Atlantic Ocean. In the Pacific Ocean, cyclones are often called typhoons.

Tropical storms such as cyclones are common in the northern Indian Ocean, but the storm that hit Myanmar this weekend was much stronger than usual. Mature trees, power lines and sturdy buildings were blown down by 120 mph winds. Early reports indicate that weaker structures like those in the poorer areas of the country were completely destroyed.

"We have a DART [Disaster and Response Team] team that is standing by and ready to go into Burma to help try to assess needs there. As of this moment, the Burmese government has not given them permission, however, to go into the country so that is a barrier to us being able to move forward."