Preparations against possible severe storm have been urgently underway in Myanmar's western Rakhine coastal areas with storm warning being issued across townships, wards and villages in the state.

Storm signal flags have been hoisted to guide people in the areas and evacuation of victims from relief camps in low-lying areas to high hills is also being done as a preventive measure to reduce the impact of the possible storm.

Thousands of locals residing along the Rakhine coast, especially Sittway, the capital of the state, have been evacuated onto hills as of Monday evening in the wake of repeated cyclonic storm warning over the last few days.

Under heavy rainfall, it was found that vessels, which sailed off Rakhine coast, have returned to seek safety.

Coastal shipping has been suspended at the time by the authorities.

Meanwhile, President U Thein Sein told a coordination meeting against storm on Tuesday that the preventive measures are being taken in an indiscriminate manner regardless of race or religion, calling for ensuring communication link and food sufficiency.

Vice-President U Nyan Tun, also chairman of National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee, has been assigned to lead an administrative team based in Rakhine State as of Tuesday to carry out close supervision over the possible disaster.

Meanwhile, the military claimed to have placed planes, helicopters, vessels, and vehicles on alert under command in case of emergency, and medical teams and other supportive teams have also been formed.

According to the observations half hour after noon on Tuesday, cyclonic storm Mahasen over West central Bay of Bengal is centered at about 1,024 km West of Coco-Island (Myanmar), 880 km southwest of Pathein (Myanmar), 896 km southwest of Kyaukphyu (Myanmar) and 400 km southeast of Vishakhapatnam (India).

It is moving northwards with maximum wind speed estimated at 96 km per hour near the cyclone center.

Designated as yellow stage, Mahasen is likely to cross between northern part of Myanmar's Rakhine state and Bangladesh coast on Thursday evening. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)