NP News – May 19

The international allied media made headlines for Mocha casualty much more than the ground figure.

The State Administration Council (SAC) updated and confirmed the fatality of Cyclone Mocha disaster, including damages during rescue works, 145 in total until May 18.

As per data collected on May 17, it involved four military servicemen, 18 indigenous ethnics and 26 Bengalis; altogether 48.

The death toll increased as updated on May 18 with six more indigenous ethnics and 91 Bengalis were added in the list, according to the SAC Information Team.

The Myanmar government alerted the extremely severe cyclonic storm Mocha since a week ahead of the day for in advance. Preventions, preparations and evacuations were conducted as government order and alert.

In fact, the Myanmar government arranged evacuation for a total of 63302 Bengali immigrants from IDP Camps located in Sittwe out of 125,789 Bengalis. The remaining Bengalis were stubborn staying at the camps, according to the SAC.

Therefore, the 91 Bengalis are those who did not consent to move as directed by the government order.

However, the watch groups and associated news agency highlighted that Bengalis fatality climbs up to 400. Officers deny such irrational fatality figure.