NARGIS CYCLONE 3rd MAY 2008
On the 3rd of May the Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy)
Division and partly Yangon Division was very
badly hit by the Nargis Cyclone; unfortunately
with loss of too many lives in the Ayeyarwaddy
Division in the delta along Ayeyarwaddy
(Irrawaddy) River and the infrastructure
structure in the delta area was almost destroyed
by the cyclone Nargis. In Yangon it was mostly
buildings and trees which was damaged and the
damages was generally reestablished within a few
days and with valuable assistance from the armed
forces.
The Ayeyarwaddy Division was much more seriously
hit - whole villages was wiped out and people
was killed by the up to 15 feet (5 meter) high
waves which merciless came in the storm and as
most of the houses was built in tree, they could
not withstand the enormous powers which suddenly
erupted. There had been warnings, but nobody
believed it would be of such a powerful gale
force. There were in the first chaotic period a
lot of rumors but luckily a lot of exaggerations
and the situation were in control within a few
weeks.
In the first period, it was essential to bring food, clean
water, clothes and other urgently needed reliefs to the area. It
still is as the stores of food was destroyed by the cyclone and
will not be present before the next harvest.
Within a few days after the cyclone, the
rebuilding began. There are already built a lot of new houses
and continuously they are building countless new houses as
replacement for the houses smashed under the Nargis. Luckily
there is an enormous relief work as well from the Government,
locals as international organizations, with as well economical
support as with professional assistance.
The majority of the population has their living
by fishery and agriculture. They are already at
the present strongly working on the development,
which means, the farmers are setting paddy for
the next harvest, the fishermen are getting new
boats, the old ones was almost all smashed by
the cyclone. People are reestablishing their
trade and with help of loan and support they
will be capable of improving their living.
It will take a couple of years before the rebuilding is
finalized even though the efforts are very intensive from all
parties include the surviving inhabitants from the area.
Tours into Ayeyarwaddy Delta
We are arranging special tours into the Ayeyarwaddy Delta so
also tourists can see how the things are developing.
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