NP News – May 15

The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, declared all 17 townships in Rakhine State as the ‘Disaster Affected Areas’ this morning as per Section 11 of Natural Disaster Management Law.

The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha hit Myanmar’s Rakhine Coastal Region on May 14 with 137 mph which destructed a lot of properties and infrastructures.

Though the Cyclone Mocha made landfall as Category 5 with 137 mph (as per Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology), which is stronger than the deadly Cyclone Nargis in 2008, fatality is much much lower as the government, authorities, Tatmadaw rescue forces and charity organizations made good preparations and prevention measures.

The townships that are declared as the ‘Disaster Affected Areas’ are Kyaukphyu, Manaung, Ann, Buthidaung, Gwa, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, Minbya, Mrauk-U, Myebon, Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Ramree, Rathedaung, Sittwe, Taungup and Thandwe.

The cyclone destructed residential houses, buildings, trees, infrastructures, other properties in cities in Rakhine State.

“There are many debris and wrecks in the whole city. Authorities are cleaning the damages in Sittwe and repairing the damaged houses. We get no electricity now. Streets are blockaded by broken trees and logs. Most people are still staying at the shelters and monasteries. Tatmadaw aircrafts are flying over the air to inspect the city situation. The telecom lines are restored right now but only MPT,” a Sittwe resident told NP News.

The Cyclonic Storm Mocha is gradually weakening in next six hours and transforming into an inland storm in Kachin State, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology.