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Cyclone Savages Burma; at Least 351 Dead

Posted May 4, 08 7:28 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – A tropical cyclone has wreaked havoc in Burma, killing at least 351 and destroying tens of thousands of buildings, the BBC reports. Cyclone Nargis brought 120 mph winds to the country, knocking down 75% of buildings in one town and cutting off power, water, and phone lines in the largest city, Rangoon. The storm is now headed toward Thailand, but seems to have quieted somewhat.

“Utter war zone,” a diplomat in Rangoon tells Reuters. “Trees across all streets. Hospitals devastated. Clean water scarce.” In the delta region of Irrawaddy, more than 20,000 houses fell. “I have never seen anything like it,” a former official said. “It reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina hit the United States.” The sun has returned, but “it will take a few days before we get an overview of the damage,” says a UN rep.

Sources BBC, Reuters

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In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, an electric pole is broken by strong wind at a street in Rangoon Saturday.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Yunfei)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, an advertisement board is blown down by strong wind in Rangoon as cyclone storm Nargis hits the city Saturday.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Yunfei)
In this photo released by China's Xinhua News Agency, people walk past fallen trees at a street in Rangoon Saturday.   (AP Photo/Xinhua, Zhang Yunfei)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, a tree falls over a car after tropical cyclone Nargis hit Rangoon on Friday May 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Democratic voice of Burma)
In this photo released by Democratic Voice of Burma, damaged satellite dishes are seen on the roof of a residential building after tropical cyclone Nargis hit Burma on Friday May 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/ Democratic Voice of Burma)
This image provided by NASA shows Cyclone Nargis traveling over Burma Friday, May 2, 2008.   (AP Photo/NASA)
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Burma • Myanmar • natural disaster • cyclone • Yangon • Rangoon


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