DEATH AND DESTRUCTION
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Death toll crosses 15,000; Myanmar calls for help
Published on Tue, May 06, 2008 at 07:53, Updated on Tue, May 06, 2008 at 15:15 in World section
Tags: Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar , New Delhi
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New Delhi: More than 15,000 people are feared dead in the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar.
The survivors have no access to power or water and Yangon has appealed for international help. India has already sent two warships with relief material.
The country is bearing the brunt of the deadliest natural disaster in its history. The casualty count has been rising rapidly, as authorities reach the worst-hit islands and villages in the Irrawaddy Delta, where the storm wreaked the most havoc.
Pictures show many roofs were ripped off even sturdy buildings, suggesting damage would be severe in shanty towns. Military and police units are on rescue and cleanup operations in Yangon, but residents complain the junta's response is weak.
Myanmar's Prime Minister Thein Sein toured the damaged areas and addressed residents. The United Nations (UN) is rushing in emergency aid such as food, clean water, blankets and plastic sheeting.
UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon said, "I am very saddened by all the Myanmese people having been struck by this cyclone. The United Nations will do whatever to provide urgent humanitarian assistance. Because of the lack of communications and information, we are not quite sure what the total extent of damages and casualties, but I am very much alarmed by the incoming news that the casualties have risen more than 10,000 people already, according to Myanmar Foreign Ministry announcement."
The situation seem to be getting worse as in Yangon, food and fuel prices are rising and clean water is scarce.
Most shops are out of candles and batteries and there is no word when power would be restored. But despite the devastation, Myanmar's leaders say they would go ahead with a May 10 referendum on a new army-drafted Constitution.
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The merciless cyclone Nargis that ripped Myanmar has more serious effects when inflation is raging high and the world is
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India should undertake maximum aid efforts at the earlist to bring relief to our Burmese neighbours
India and Burma's destinies are
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