Emergency situation in Rangoon
5 May 2008
In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which ripped through the Irrawaddy delta and Rangoon on Friday night of with winds of 190 km (120 mile) per hour, 90 percent of large trees and electricity poles are down and electricity is cut off. From Friday night on, there was a complete black out in Rangoon at night. Water distribution systems were also damaged, causing a severe water shortage. Transportation was also affected due to trees blocking roads and streets. Motor highway and railways are blocked, as well. Trains coming from Pegu division had to stop at Hmaw Bi, as they could not go to Rangoon.
The situation with regard to drinking water is extremely dire. Some people have begun to break water pipelines for drinking water, but there is often no water in the pipelines. In some places near downtown, water from wells is being used and distributed to people living in the quarter. At that time, people from other places came by car and attempted to take water by pumps and clashes broke out.
As there is no electricity, compressed natural gas cannot be distributed for public transportation vehicles. Gasoline price jumped up from 5000 kyat to 1,500 kyat per gallon. Today, some public transportation buses were able to resume their routes. Bus fares are 300 kyat for one or two bus stops and 500 or 1000 kyat for farther destinations, depending on distance. For example, the fare is 500 kyat from Shwepyi Thar Township to Insein Township, 500 kyat from Bahan Township to downtown, and 1500 kyat from Okkalapa Township to downtown. It is said that a person who began walking from his home in Hlaingtharyar at 8 o'clock a.m. arrived to downtown Hlaingtharyar at 6 p.m. Commodity prices are also on the rise, with 3 duck eggs selling for1000 kyat and a small bottle of water costing 500-1000 kyat. Shops are not selling rice. All departmental stores were closed down for fear of looting. Some restaurants opened at first, but the soon closed down due to lack of raw materials.
There were some robberies in Thaketa, Dala, Botataung, and Kyeemyindine, township. Last night, it was reported that Nyaungbin Lay market was looted. Kyeemyinedine Night bazaar was also threatened so people from nearby quarters had to guard the bazaar. There was a robbery in Thein Byu market also. A mob in South Dagon attempted to loot some shops, as there is nothing to eat or drink.
The areas hardest hit by the storm were Hlaingthar Yar, Shwepyithar, North and South Dagon, Dala and Seikkyi Khanaungto Townships. In Hlaingtharyar, roofs from the factories were ripped off and small houses in shantytowns were completely blown away by the wind. People are living in monasteries for emergency shelter. Most of have had no food or shelter at all after the storm. Many houses near North Dagon were blown down and remaining houses were flooded in the water.
All hospitals, both private and public, are unable to provide care, so most patients have been forced to leave hospitals such as Shwegondine Specialist Clinic, Asia Tawwin, Sakura in Sanchaung, etc. It was reported that roofs on Shwegondine Specialist Clinic were blown away by the storm and water came in around the elevator. At Rangoon quaysides and jetties, some ships sank. Thila War jetty was hard hit and cranes and some machinery were damaged there.
Side pagodas in Shwedagon pagoda were severely damaged and an umbrella of Naung Taw Gyi pagoda fell down. Kyaw Thun pagoda, Chauk Htat Kyee and Koe Htat Kyee pagodas were also damaged. The stairways of Sule pagoda were damaged and umbrella of the pagoda was also smashed. All pagodas in Rangoon were closed.
Roofs of markets in downtown Rangoon were ripped off and closed down for security and renovation. Small vendors in alleys continue to sell food and meat, but cooking oil or vegetables are available. The price for pork soared up to 8000 to 10000 kyat per one viss. It is 1500 kyat for a packet of candle, but they are not widely available. Price for one roofing sheet is 15000 per sheet.
It is reported that there were some casualties in Dala Township as people fell down into flooding water during the storm, but the number of dead and the wounded cannot be estimated. Small ferries in Rangoon river sank and one of them sank full of passengers in the middle of river. Nobody can estimate casualty, wounded, and damage in Rangoon. There is no electricity, no water, no drinking water, no adequate transportation, and almost no telephone connection in Rangoon. People in Rangoon had to rely on overseas radio for news and information.
The authorities and army personnel are clearing roads and trees and providing security, but only those areas near the quarters where military officials live. People living at the rest of Rangoon had to provide for their own security and find their own ways to solve their problems such as food, shelter and clothes. People estimated that damages cannot be reconstructed within one or two months. No policemen or military officials showed up at their posts. Rangoon residents have not seen any authorities out to assess the damage or provide assistance. The situation is quite desperate, and anger is growing among Rangoon residents.
Information Department
National League for Democracy (Liberated Area)
