Mizzima News

After cyclone Nargis lashed Rangoon city, authorities closed-down the Rangoon international airport.

A Reuters news report, quoting officials at the Rangoon international airport, said all flights have
been temporarily suspended and all incoming flights  have been diverted to Burma's second largest city, Mandalay.

The cyclone, which devastated nearly the whole of Burma's former capital Rangoon, lashed at the city since early Saturday, uprooting trees and electric poles and leaving the streets full of debris with roofs that were blown away.

"The whole of Rangoon has been devastated. I have never seen anything like this in my life," a Rangoon resident said.

Satellite receivers from roof tops were blown away and people were seen running helter skelter with whatever belongings they could carry and stopping vehicles for help, an eyewitness, who roamed the city, said.

Due to the cyclone, though only a few telephone lines are working, most lines are faulty and could not be contacted. With no internet connection, no electricity, and no preparation for the overnight disaster, residents in Rangoon are reportedly suffering from food shortage.

According to a Reuters report, Rangoon has been filled with flash floods as water from the Irrawaddy River topped its bank.

Meanwhile, the Burmese junta's secretary (1) Lt Gen Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo declared a state of emergency in five regions including Rangoon, Pegu division, Irrawaddy division, Mon State, and Karen state.

Storm subsides in Rangoon The storm, which began since Saturday and devastated major parts of Rangoon, has reportedly subsided. However, the devastation and debris has caused
blockage of roads and  commuters, buses and taxis remain off the road.