May
2 marks six years since Cyclone Nargis wreaked havoc on Myanmar’s
southern coast, leading to one of the country’s worst natural and
humanitarian disasters in recorded history.
A
low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal had been gathering strength over
several days and the tropical storm finally made landfall in the
Ayeyawady delta on Friday May 2, 2008.
Strong
winds of over 120 miles per hour, heavy rain and flooding blasted the
densely populated delta area, resulting in at least 138,000 deaths
(thousands still uncounted) with many more left homeless and without
water, power, food or sanitation.
Cyclone
Nargis sent a storm surge sweeping up the Ayeyawady delta region,
affecting Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin regions as well, causing
catastrophic destruction, loss of life and property.
The
military junta at the time was attempting to pass a new constitution
and was ill prepared, initially denying reports of the magnitude of the
disaster and then actively censoring information. Its inadequate
response was the main cause of the humanitarian disaster that followed.
“The
death toll was high not only because of the cyclone but also because of
the poor evacuation and relief effort. Even I was lucky to survive,”
said Nargis survivor Zaw Min from Thingalay village near the delta.
Relief
efforts were slowed for political reasons as Myanmar's military rulers
initially resisted international aid reaching affected areas. When they
finally allowed in limited supplies, many with close ties to the
military profited by selling food and materials provided by
international organisations.
After
Nargis, many farms in the fertile delta region were destroyed when salt
water entered into the soil. Farming equipment was also destroyed and
farmers faced a shortage of money forcing many to become destitute. The
effects can be seen until this day.
“The
paddy yields still don’t reach to that of before the cyclone Nargis. No
matter how many acres a farmer possesses, the government gives only Ks 1
million. It is not easy to yield more than the present amount,” said
farmer Hla Htwe from Thakethaung village in Ngapudaw Township.
It
is not easy to go back the time before the cyclone Nargis. Despite the
government providing loans of Ks 300,000 (US$ 300) per acre to farmers
and salt producers, 100 out of 800 could not repay the money. This has
left salt growers to surrender their plots to wealthy businessmen.
The
Ayeyawaddy region remains a poor region of mainly working class people
such as fishermen, farmers and salt workers. Most can’t afford to send
their children to school. Healthcare is also largely lacking.
Tens
of thousands of people were killed due to Cyclone Nargis though
officials refused to reveal the true cost of the disaster due to their
inadequate response and holding back of relief aid.
The military,
however, did get their constitution after pushing ahead with the
referendum on May 10 despite the thousands left homeless, starving and
without sanitation.
http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5934:myanmar-remembers-cyclone-nargis-six-years-on&catid=44:national&Itemid=384
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