Torrential rain in Rangoon, floods in Mawlamyine

by Mizzima News

Sunday, 15 June 2008 00:00

Torrential rain since dawn on Sunday has inundated some areas in Rangoon. A special announcement made by the Meteorology department said torrential rains would continue for 72 hours. There would be widespread rain elsewhere and heavy downpour in some areas. Strong winds along the Burmese coast with wind speeds of 40 to 50 mph have been forecast.  The people are keen to know more about the weather announcement and are scared after Cyclone Nargis killed over 130,000 people recently.  The Meteorology and Hydrology Department said in its announcement that the prevailing weather was not a storm, just strong winds due to the strengthening monsoon. The Director General of Meteorology and Hydrology Department U Tun Lwin said that storms are a seasonal phenomenon but the wind speed is dangerous for those who are out in the sea.  Due to the incessant downpour the water level along the Strand Road in Mawlamyine is rising and the people are moving to the higher ground en masse. The rumour of flooding in Mawlamyine has been circulating among local residents since last week.  A local resident in 'Beluu' Island said that all the people on the island have been moved to other places and there are 'no more' people to be evacuated.  Security by the police has been heightened in Maylamyine. < Prev   Next >