News / World
Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Hits 22,000, More than 40,000 Still Missing
The death toll from this weekend’s cyclone in Myanmar took a huge jump on Tuesday as state media announced more than 22,000 had perished and another 40,000 were still missing.
Most of the deaths occurred in the low-lying area of the Irrawaddy delta as Tropical Cyclone Nargis hit land on Friday. The storm sent a massive wave surge believed to be 12-feet high inland and swallowed entire towns, sweeping residents to their death.
Relief for victims has been slow due to the destruction of infrastructure and communication outlets.
Initial reports on Saturday had placed the death toll at just over350 and that number inflated to nearly 10,000 on Monday. Now that 10,000 is being used to describe just one town, Bogalay, located about 50 miles southwest of Yangon.
Appeals to the international community have been made and several countries and NGOs have pledged support to provide relief. Of chief concern for many is providing clean drinking water and preventing outbreak of disease due to mosquitoes and dead animals.
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