Memories of turmoil and loss linger
Two years after Cyclone Nargis devastated the Irrawaddy Delta and killed at least 140,000 people, a Mizzima reporter interviewed survivors in Dedaye, on the Thandi River, about 12 miles (20km) from its mouth in the Gulf of Martaban.
“My son (10 years old), my daughter (two years old) and my grandma (80 years old) passed away. We invited monks to preach the Buddhist sermons last year and offered them and villagers mont hinga [Burmese traditional fish and noodle soup], dedicated to those who died in Nargis. But this year we can afford to offer food only to the monastery because we have had such little income. For me, Nargis will continue to be a trauma.” 
“Before Nargis, we [my family] ran a rice mill and I ran a tailor shop with three sewing machines and the help of interns. Our home was grocery-shophouse. On the night the cyclone hit our region the wind was very strong. There was massive flooding and roofs were blown away. The huge waves were very strong so we had to hug coconut trees very tightly. A wave struck my child and he was swept away. We found his body two mornings later. Currently, I have borrowed money from others and am selling fritters.” 
“When Nargis hit, I was fishing out at sea. I returned home because of news of the storm feeling lucky that I had survived … But when I arrived … everything was gone and my family was traumatised. I am head of the family so I have to think about our survival. Catching fish is all I know how to do. This year, we only made a little money and I’ve been wondering where all the fish have gone. To start the business again, I had to sell our gold jewellery and borrow money … for the required capital. I need to invest about 1,500,000 Kyats (about US$1,500) for an outboard motor, nets and other tools. I’m struggling to get by.” 
“I don’t like to talk about Nargis. I don’t want to remember it. That night, our house collapsed. So, we [including children] got on the boat tied to a pillar in front of our house. A wave then hit the boat and the children fell overboard. It was chaos. I didn’t know what’d happened as I was struggling for my life. I lost three grandchildren [two, three and eight years old] and an aunt.” 
“I don’t know why I survived. Actually, I should be dead because I’m too old. Nargis took my two sons and my daughter-in law. Now, I live with my grandson [12 years old] whose parents were among those who died. My grandson catches fish and does occasional jobs for our survival. Today is the second anniversary of Cyclone Nargis. I miss my sons and daughter-in-law.” 
