Cyclone deaths top 100 as US pledges aid

News: DVB

Posted: 10-28-2010 

The death toll from cyclone Giri in western Burma has topped 100, relief workers say with many more still missing.

Some 80 bodies have been found in Myebon town in Arakan state, where hundreds of buildings were destroyed as the powerful cyclone made landfall on 22 October.

90% of Myebon tow damaged by cyclone Giri

 Many people remain missing in Myebon, said Aye Zaw Maung from the Rakhine [Arakan] Thahaya group, which has been carrying out relief work in the area. “I heard from my [colleagues] in Myebon that around 80 bodies were found there.” 

A further 30 people remain missing in Seittaya village in Myebon township, according to Dr Aye Maung of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP), which is campaigning locally for the 7 November elections. The RNDP have called for the vote to be delayed in Arakan state until the area recovers from the cyclone.

In Kyaukphyu town, about 50 miles south of Myebon, around 70 percent of buildings were flattened, according to local sources. The number of casualties there remains unknown.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burmese people and all those affected by this tragedy…We will offer additional assistance as needed”.

According to the UN, 70,795 people have been left homeless in the wake of the cyclone, with around 175,000 thought to have been affected.