"Nargis" leaves 21,000+ death in Myanmar

[Rabz]

The news is just in.
Myanmar military Junta has admitted that the death toll from the weekend's Type 3 Cyclone Nargis probably has resulted in a death toll of massive 10,000 and counting.
The administration is now welcoming all international help which is badly needed for this poor country at this time.

We know all very well the impact of such an devastating natural disaster. SIDR is still fresh on our minds and it has been barely 5 months since that dreadful night.

My heartfelt condolences to the people of Myanmar.
Hope God gives them strength to carry on in this grave time and the International Community be by there side to help them get back on their feet again.

Here is the report from www.bdnews24.com
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Bankok, Mon May 5, (bdnews24.com/Reuters) - Myanmar's military government has a provisional death toll of 10,000 from this weekend's devastating cyclone, with another 3,000 missing, a diplomat said on Monday after a briefing from Foreign Minister Nyan Win.

"The basic message was that they believe the provisional death toll was about 10,000 with 3,000 missing," a diplomat present at the meeting told Reuters in Bangkok

Previuos report said, nearly 4,000 people were killed and thousands were missing in two of Myanmar's devastated cyclone regions, state television reported on Monday, a dramatic increase in the toll from Saturday's storm.

"The confirmed number is 3,934 dead, 41 injured and 2,879 missing within the Yangon and Irrawaddy divisions," MRTV reported as aid agencies said hundreds of thousands of people were without shelter and drinking water in the military-ruled Southeast Asian country.

Earlier official reports put the death toll at 351, but the number of casualties had been expected to rise as authorities made contact with hard-hit islands and villages in the Irrawaddy delta, the country's rice bowl.

Food and fuel prices soared in Yangon on Monday as aid agencies scrambled to deliver emergency supplies and assess the damage from Cyclone Nargis after it slammed into the delta region.

The military, which has ruled for 46 years and is shunned by the West, has not issued an appeal for help since the Category 3 storm packing winds of 190 kph (120 mph).

In Yangon, many roofs were ripped off even sturdy buildings, suggesting damage would be severe in the shanty towns that lie on the outskirts of the city of 5 million people.

Michael Annear, regional disaster chief for the International Red Cross, said emergency supplies were being handed out from stockpiles in Myanmar, but more was needed.
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[cricket_pagol]

This is really sad, it seems that the cyclone-hit areas were not very well prepared. The big donors need to come out and help these people.

[Tigers_eye]

190 Km wind with a water surge is a deadly combination.

May the Almighty give the survivors enough strength to continue and recover from their devastating loss.

[Arnab]

It's funny how a part of the human race (meteorologists neatly ensconced in their data centers) can track a cyclone like Nargis from its inception all the way to its finish, and yet thousands of people die.

This enormous gap between those who have technology and those who can't benefit from it is a morally repugnant situation.

[cricket_pagol]

The military govt in Myanmar is not helping...

Some potential donors said governments and aid groups apparently would need individual approval to deliver supplies to Myanmar.

The United States said the junta had so far refused to allow an American disaster team in to assess damage to follow up on an emergency U.S. contribution of $250,000. "That is a barrier to us being able to move forward," deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said. "We asked for permission, but the initial response from the government was that they were not inclined to let them in."

Link

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by Arnab
It's funny how a part of the human race (meteorologists neatly ensconced in their data centers) can track a cyclone like Nargis from its inception all the way to its finish, and yet thousands of people die.

This enormous gap between those who have technology and those who can't benefit from it is a morally repugnant situation.

1) Technology can not stop or slow down these cyclones.

2) The people can not abandon their things just like that. (Whatever they have) In BD there were several shelters which weren't full when Hurricane Sidr hit us. The communication gap and proper procedures are not put in place.

3) This is not only in the 3rd world country issue. Katrina is a prime example. We see almost every year in Florida and in the carolina coastal lines.

[Ajfar]

anyone knw how they come up with the name for the cyclone???

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by bangladesh_sy
anyone knw how they come up with the name for the cyclone???

In US, the person (meteorologists) who spots first has the privillage to name them.

[Miraz]

Originally Posted by bangladesh_sy
anyone knw how they come up with the name for the cyclone???

These are the names of the next cyclones that will develop in north Indian ocean and Bay of Bengal. The meteorological organizations of India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Oman and few other countries have an association which gives names to the cyclone.

Here's the link

খায়মুক>নিশা>বিজলি>আইলা>ফিয়ান>ওয়ার্দ>লায়লা>বন্দু>ফেট>গিরি> জাল>কেইলা>থানে>মার্জান> নিলম>মাহাসেন> ফাইলিন>হেলেন>লহর>মাদী>নানাউক> হুদহুদ> নিলুফার> প্রিয়া>কোমেন>চপলা>মেঘ>ভালি>কায়নত্দ> নাদা> ভরদাহ> সামা>মোরা> অক্ষি>সাগর> বাজু>দায়ে> লুবান> তিতলি>দাস> ফেথাই>ফণী>বায়ু> হিকা>কায়ের> মহা> বুলবুল> সোবা>আমপান।

বাংলাদেশের দেয়া নাম_ অনিল, অগি্ন, নিশা, গিরি, হেলেন, চপলা, অক্ষি ও ফণী।...

[Arnab]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
1) Technology can not stop or slow down these cyclones.

That's not the issue. There are many forms of technology. Predicting cyclones is one kind of technology. Building cyclone-resistant coastal housing is another form of technology. Warning people of imminent cyclones is another form of technology. All these technologies can be used in a coordinated manner to minimize the loss of human lives.

2) The people can not abandon their things just like that. (Whatever they have) In BD there were several shelters which weren't full when Hurricane Sidr hit us. The communication gap and proper procedures are not put in place.

And I think such communication gap is ridiculous.

3) This is not only in the 3rd world country issue. Katrina is a prime example. We see almost every year in Florida and in the carolina coastal lines.

The issue I was talking about is the death of tens of thousands of people. People do not die in tens of thousands in the United States.

[al Furqaan]

may allah help our human brothers and sisters in myanmar.

as per arnab's comments, weren't there some people in BD during sidr who refused to move? such things will happen. i agree the technology gap is ridiculous, but what can you expect? the US-EU domain is currently the "first world". a time will come when the balance of tech will shift somewhere else (china or india come to mind first, maybe the Gulf). will the sino-india dominated world be as kind to humanitarianism as the US-EU dominated world? i think not.

what i do find to be morally repugnant is not the sharing of such technology (i'm all for it, however) but the use of technology to kill, maim, and torture people half way around the world for illicit purposes.

[Kabir]

May the souls rest in peace.

[sunny747]

Burma is seriously under developed country. i have burmese colleague who told me that they had absolutely no preparation to face it. it's 3 days since he is not able to call his parents as there is no electricity, mobile networks and internet. mobile network and internet is restricted to armies only.
This is where BD stands tall. We have built good infrastructure to face this deadly cyclone. And our warning facility is much better , even better than Thailand.

[Alien]

Originally Posted by sunny747
This is where BD stands tall. We have built good infrastructure to face this deadly cyclone. And our warning facility is much better , even better than Thailand.

It still sucks.

[thebest]

For Once, I agree with Arnab

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
1) Technology can not stop or slow down these cyclones.

believe it or not. Bangladesh is one of the global leader in using technology to predict and track cyclone and warn people on an upcoming cyclone. But I agree technology can not stop or slow down cyclones. There are some theoretical works on using cloud seeding. But their effect is still unknown.

2) The people can not abandon their things just like that. (Whatever they have) In BD there were several shelters which weren't full when Hurricane Sidr hit us. The communication gap and proper procedures are not put in place.

there are two issues. Cyclone Sidr hit an area which are not really cyclone prone in Bangladesh context. Most of the major cyclones strike Bangladesh in Meghna estuary and east of it. Under the Cyclone Preparedness Program all over Bangladesh Coast around 2000 cyclone shelter was supposed to construct. as this is less vulnerable area the area got less priority. so when cyclone struck there was not enough shelter. The second issue is quite funny. The people were warned about impending danger more than 24 hours against the usual practice of 12 hrs or less. so some of the people actually return when the cyclone did not hit within 12 hrs. also less of experience on cyclone means people of Khulna, Borguna gave more emphasis on their earthly property. You would not have find this kind of behavior in Chittagong, Noakhali, Bhola or East part of Barisal

3) This is not only in the 3rd world country issue. Katrina is a prime example. We see almost every year in Florida and in the carolina coastal lines.

actually third world countries managed better than the so called first world country. Cyclone Preparedness Program (CPP) which was developed by Bangladesh Red Cross after Bhola Cyclone of 1970 is now considered as model for cyclone preparedness and management all over the world. For example Japanese Red Cross actually implementing CPP model in Japan. Katrina is one of the worst managed cyclone both pre and post in history of disaster manegment. US should have hired some of Bd expert how to manage those. Cyclone Sidr claim around 5000 population. In terms of intensity it was as powerful as Bhola cylone of 1970 or Katrina. It is a super cyclone But due to better preparation we minimize the damage to around 5000. An ongoing research at BUET, we found that most of the death due to Sidr is not to surge but trees falling over their residence. Thus the death would have been avoidable if you just built the house with better building material
With better management most of the casuallities of Nargis would have been avoided. It is the problem when an immoral government rules just like 1970. The current government estimate claim 22000 victim; but that means the actual may be close to 100000. Remember Yahiya claim around 50000 victim in Bhola cyclone. Present estimate shows that at least 300000 people perished in Bhola cyclone

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by Arnab
It's funny how a part of the human race (meteorologists neatly ensconced in their data centers) can track a cyclone like Nargis from its inception all the way to its finish, and yet thousands of people die.

This enormous gap between those who have technology and those who can't benefit from it is a morally repugnant situation.

The enormous gap between those who own money and resources and those who don't and die of hunger is a morally repugnent situation.

Having the best technology to track down cyclones can not garantee of saving lives. Having that and the infra structure and awareness can save lives. We only have one part of the solution. To get that other part everyone's utmost effort is needed considering the huge population that can be affected.

Some part of Sidr hit area couldn't be reached by our Army or Navy. We had to wait two days before Sea Angle's Hoovercraft team took water purifying tablets to them. Thus is our infra structure in remote areas.

As for awareness, adding to theBest's rediculous 24+ hours early warning, many of these families solely rely on cattles for their livelihood. They wanted to save them but had no facilities to accomodate the livestocks. Hard to make people comply when there is very little education level.

[Tigers_eye]

The death toll is 22,000 and counting. Sad.

[al Furqaan]

has anyone noticed that big natural disasters have recently only hit third world countries? luck also plays a major part of it, along with general ineptness. when was the last time a crippling drought hit europe's heartland? when was the last 7 magnitude quake to destroy southern ontario? when did the last tsunami wreak havok on LA and the SoCal region? apart from katrina, the great flood of 93, and andrew in 91 first world countries have suffered 3 tragedies in the last 20 years. yes luck plays a part of it, the first world is ricky ponting, and third world is ashraful.

[al Furqaan]

the superiority of the west vis a vis the inferiority of 3rd world is NOT morally repugnant in and of itself. the west does an OK job at least of doling out aid to african and asian nations. there is nothing immoral about being rich or poor. of course in many cases, the poor must be exploited for the rich to be rich, and of course part of that is just natural economic forces, but i am willing to say thats immoral.

what IS immoral, is when wealthy people use their funds to injure the poor in order to preserve whatever status quo exists. THAT is the real immorality. you don't want to help, fine. but don't hurt us. that is unacceptable.

[ialbd]

May the soul rest in peace....

Death toll: 22000 !!! Its so sad that the govt didnt do enough to warn/evacuate the ppl even with the cyclone lurking around for several days.....

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by al Furqaan
has anyone noticed that big natural disasters have recently only hit third world countries? luck also plays a major part of it, along with general ineptness. when was the last time a crippling drought hit europe's heartland? when was the last 7 magnitude quake to destroy southern ontario? when did the last tsunami wreak havok on LA and the SoCal region? apart from katrina, the great flood of 93, and andrew in 91 first world countries have suffered 3 tragedies in the last 20 years. yes luck plays a part of it, the first world is ricky ponting, and third world is ashraful.

There is no luck involved. Forgot the massive fires Cal have year in year out. How about the mudslides, tornadoes, snow storms? Forgot the triple hurricane florida endured. The earth quake in Cal and Greece. Any of these at any third world country would contribute to scores of death. The resoureces vs population is far greater than what we have so affect is not as greater as the third world country. Natural disaster is every where. The death toll is not that high because of their superior infra structure, awareness and less density.

As for the third world countries frequent calamities are also partial human doings. Cutting of trees, over bearing population, environment polution without any repocaution leads to these disasters. The floods are more massive because of the silt deposits we have. The drought and flood has direct relationship with chopping of forrests.

You can not save Ashraful with the word "Luck". He is his own undoing.

[thebest]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
The enormous gap between those who own money and resources and those who don't and die of hunger is a morally repugnent situation.

Having the best technology to track down cyclones can not garantee of saving lives. Having that and the infra structure and awareness can save lives. We only have one part of the solution. To get that other part everyone's utmost effort is needed considering the huge population that can be affected.

Some part of Sidr hit area couldn't be reached by our Army or Navy. We had to wait two days before Sea Angle's Hoovercraft team took water purifying tablets to them. Thus is our infra structure in remote areas.

As for awareness, adding to theBest's rediculous 24+ hours early warning, many of these families solely rely on cattles for their livelihood. They wanted to save them but had no facilities to accomodate the livestocks. Hard to make people comply when there is very little education level.

I agree with all the points you raised. In fact I have mentioned about lack of shelter and reason for lack of shelter. what I fail to understand what you mean by ridiculous 24+ hr early warning. in case of Sidr the first order issued to red cross personnel to prepare people for evacuation 48 hrs ago and evacuation order was issued 30 hrs ago against the usual practice of 12hrs. it was done as most of the red cross personal are inexperience compare to their counterpart in east Barisal, Meghana estuary and Chittagong coast. Sidr is the most powerful hurricane struck in Sundarban and its vicinity in the last 125 years.

[Tigers_eye]

Originally Posted by thebest
I agree with all the points you raised. In fact I have mentioned about lack of shelter and reason for lack of shelter. what I fail to understand what you mean by ridiculous 24+ hr early warning. in case of Sidr the first order issued to red cross personnel to prepare people for evacuation 48 hrs ago and evacuation order was issued 30 hrs ago against the usual practice of 12hrs. it was done as most of the red cross personal are inexperience compare to their counterpart in east Barisal, Meghana estuary and Chittagong coast. Sidr is the most powerful hurricane struck in Sundarban and its vicinity in the last 125 years.

inexperience is not an excuse. Policy and procedures should dictate proceedings. 24+ hour warnings are lack of proper communication between weather people and the evacuation enforcer or warner. Basically saying the same thing what you are saying.

[thebest]

Originally Posted by bangladesh_sy
anyone knw how they come up with the name for the cyclone???

here is a useful site on naming convention of cyclone. If you want to know about the name of upcoming cyclone, hurricane, typhoon then this is the best site

[Arnab]

Originally Posted by Tigers_eye
The enormous gap between those who own money and resources and those who don't and die of hunger is a morally repugnent situation.

Having the best technology to track down cyclones can not garantee of saving lives. Having that and the infra structure and awareness can save lives. We only have one part of the solution. To get that other part everyone's utmost effort is needed considering the huge population that can be affected.

Of course. And how do you rapidly build infrastructures? With civil engineering technology. How can raise awareness quickly? With the help of superior information and communication technology.

Imagine that a bus is about to run over one of your friends. You can see very clearly
the course the bus is taking. In fact, you are well equipped to draw graphs of the situation and upload it real-time over the Internet to your friends all over the world.

Then someone morally conscious asks you: Why were you busy doing THAT? Why didn't you help your friend when you knew that he had a chance of dying?

You answer that even though you have an expensive state of the art laptop, a bus-tracking software that uses data from a satellite, and a high-speed connection to the internet to show the entire death sequence of your friend real-time, you just never bothered to invest on a loudspeaker so that your friend could be warned and saved in the first place. It's all the infrastructure's fault.

That's morally repugnant.