The death toll in Burma from Cyclone Giri, which hit the country's west coast last Friday, has climbed to at least 84, according to local residents.
Forty-eight bodies were found on Monday in Arakan State's Myebon Township, which was badly hit by the cyclone, local residents said. A further 10 bodies were found in Pauktaw Township in the same state.
Burma's state-run TV made its first mention of casualties on Monday, saying at least 27 people had died and 15 were missing.
The category four cyclone triggered a seven meter tidal surge and heavy rains, damaging roads, bridges, power and telephone lines.
Forty-eight bodies were found on Monday in Arakan State's Myebon Township, which was badly hit by the cyclone, local residents said. A further 10 bodies were found in Pauktaw Township in the same state.
Burma's state-run TV made its first mention of casualties on Monday, saying at least 27 people had died and 15 were missing.
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| The cyclone ripped the roofs off these buildings in Kyakphyu, Arakan State. (Demowaiyan Blog) |
The state-media said the number of deaths would have been higher if the government had not issued early warnings and evacuated people to safer areas.
However, non-governmental organization (NGO) relief workers in Rangoon say it remains difficult to assess the scale of the casualties and destruction on small islands off the Arakan coast.
“I think the death toll could easily increase to 100,” said a leading member of a local NGO which has sent rescue teams to the affected areas.
According to Rangoon sources, the government has only allowed local staff of international NGOs in Rangoon to visit the affected areas, while foreigners working for those NGOs are restricted to Sittwe, Arakan's state capital.
