Water shortage in Rangoon, People rush to buy basic needs

by Mizzima News

Sunday, 04 May 2008 17:54

Chaing Mai: A large number of pagodas and stupas have been destroyed in cyclone-hit Rangoon and residents are facing acute shortage of water. Due to power cuts, both the government-supplied water and private tube-wells have stopped operating except some running on generators. At least fifty percent of stupas that surround the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon have been destroyed, according to officials of the pagoda. The authorities have stopped allowing worshippers to go to the pagoda. Other pagodas in Rangoon's suburban areas have also been damaged. Residents are rushing to buy essential commodities as fear of food shortages have been rising due to transport and communication disruption in several parts of the country. The prices of food have increased drastically and there is a shortage of fuel and natural gas. Moreover, people are unable to buy the much needed zinc roofs and nails for repairing their destroyed ones because there is not enough material available in the shops, said a resident. People waited in queues to buy construction material in many parts of the city. Residents are busy trying to clear the roads that have been blocked with uprooted trees. "The whole quarter has become noisy with the sound of construction work. The prices of construction material have not increased yet but we cannot buy enough of it. I do not know the news in the aftermath of the cyclone," said a woman resident in Rangoon surburbs. "Charcoal and eggs was sold out in just a short time," a grocery shop owner told Mizzima. < Prev   Next >