Mizzima News

 

Cyclone destroys vehicles

Update: 3 May 2008 17:44 - Burma Standard Time
Though the cyclone, which has caused havoc, has finally subsided, several vehicles parked along roadside kerbs have been severely damaged.

Several vehicles parked on the streets were s smashed after uprooted trees fell on them and the roads remained blocked. Several government buildings have also been destroyed by the cyclone.

The cyclone, which lashed Rangoon since early Saturday came across the Higyi Island in Irrawaddy division at a speed of up to 192 kilometers per hour. When the cyclone crossed over  Pathein (Bassein), Myaung Mya, Laputta, Moulmein Island, Bogalay, Chaung Thar, Ngwe Saung, and Gwa, it had a speed of 120 miles per hour.

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Houses collapse in Rangoon

Update: 3 May 2008 16:30 - Burma Standard Time
As the devastating impact of Cyclone Nagris continues to mount, houses in Rangoon's Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township are reportedly collapsing.

A Local resident of Mingalar Taung Nyunt told Mizzima via telephone, "The wind was blowing heavily until about 10 a.m. this morning. Phone lines, including the GSM (mobile phones), were still working until about 9 a.m. this morning. But now everything is cut-off. We don't know the number of casualties as yet, and I think we will only find out later, maybe tomorrow. As the electricity is also out, we can't even watch the news on TV. We cannot listen to the radio or tune to MRTV."

In the aftermath of the storm, as the rain has subsided, the momentous task of cleaning-up is reportedly being done by civilians without help from the government.

Situation normal in Pegu

Update: 3 May 2008 15:15 - Burma Standard Time
Residents in Pegu town of Pegu division said the cyclone hit the town at about 1 p.m Saturday afternoon. The residents, however, said the cyclone has not cause much devastation and the situation in the town is normal.

"Rangoon has been totally devastated."

Update: 3 May 2008 14:10 - Burma Standard Time

People are running helter skelter with whatever belongings they can carry and stopping vehicles they see," a resident told Mizzima.

"Rangoon has been totally devastated", he said repeatedly.

One citizen journalist who attempted to travel outside of Rangoon was forced to turn around after a short distance. "I have never seen such devastation in my life," he said

Reports reaching Rangoon further suggest there is extensive damage and devastation in Kyauk Tan Township.

State of Emergency declared in parts of Burma

Update: 3 May 2008 12:55 - Burma Standard Time

The Burmese government has announced a 'State of Emergency' in many parts of the country after cyclone Nagirs lashed Burma late on Friday night. The state-owned media declared that Rangoon Division, Pegu Division, Mon State, Karen State and Irrawaddy Division have been brought under a 'state of emergency'. The announcement was made by the Secretary of State Peace and Development Council Lit-Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo a few minutes ago.

Situation in Hle Dan, Rangoon

Strong winds continue to sweep the city and window panes of apartments have cracked or broken. The electricity supply has been cut off, a resident of Hle Dan in Rangoon told Mizzima.

"There are no civic workers in sight to clear the streets of debris. The rain has slackened now," she said. The first reports of casualty have come in from Da La Township in Rangoon division with three women having drowned when the ferry they were travelling, in while crossing the river towards Da La, sank. The authorities have stopped ferry crossings since yesterday evening.

Heavy Rains in Pha An, Karen State

Update: 3 May 2008 12:00 - Burma Standard Time

Due to cyclone Nargis, there have been heavy rains and stongs winds in Pha An in Karen State of Burma. "People dare not to go out on the streets", said a resident.

A Rangoon resident:

Update: 3 May 2008 10:30 - Burma Standard Time

"I think all the TV satellite receivers have been destroyed. Zinc roofs are scattered on the streets"

"No one is on the streets. Even no dog"

"Rains were pouring horizontally and it was like steam coming off the hot boiling water pot"

"Since roofs were ripped off, people have to stay inside their houses with doors locked and chained"

"We did not expect this much bad. So, we did not store food and now we are having problems with food"
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One UN staff in Rangoon told Mizzima that roofs of houses around Sule in downtown Rangoon have been ripped off.

Trees uprooted, electric poles flattened in Rangoon

Update: 3 May 2008 09:029 - Burma Standard Time

Reports of damages due to cyclone Nargis have been slowly emerging from Rangoon. Trees near Han Thar Wa Di circle in the city are uprooted and lying on the streets. Hoardings and sign boards are destroyed. "The strong winds are still there. I dare not to go out. The municipal department cannot still do anything", a Rangoon resident told Mizzima.

In several places, roofs of houses were ripped off and electricity poles were uprooted.

Nargis hit Rangoon

Update: 3 May 2008 09:00 - Burma Standard Time

The Nargis cyclone has hit Burma's Rangoon since last mid night and reports coming from Rangoon suggest that the cyclone is still in full strength in and around former Capital. The telephone lines and electricity in Rangoon are cut. A resident that Mizzima was able to contact said he thinks this is the severest cyclone in the country's history. There have been loud noises in the city and zinc roof tiles crisscrossed the city and trees uprooted, he added.

Other reports suggest that Irrawaddy Division could have suffered from worse damages due to the Nargis, with rumours spreading amongst the residents that there could be thousand deaths. However, Mizzima is still trying to confirm these reports.

A resident in Sanchaung township said " the sky is read" now and " roof sheets were flying"