Rangoon Tornado Victims Still Lack Basic Necessities

Hundreds of people in Rangoon affected by last week’s tornado still lack assistance from Burmese authorities, according to residents of South Dagon Township, which was hardest hit by the twister.

Local authorities distributed a few necessary supplies, such as mosquito netting, cookware, waterproof canvas, clothing and towels, said o­ne resident, but many items were given out o­nly through a lottery system.

Buildings in South Dagon Township damaged in last week’s tornado

Authorities were also said to have provided victims with four pyi (8 kg) of rice, which was donated by the presiding monk of a Rangoon monastery. Families that lost their homes were also given 4,000 kyat (US $3).

According to state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, the tornado—called “a strong wind”—struck several townships in Rangoon Division last Thursday, killing o­ne and injuring two others.

But officials from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology in Rangoon confirmed to The Irrawaddy last Friday that the storm was a tornado.

An official with the Rangoon Division State Peace and Development Council put the number of dead at three, with five others injured. The official added that the tornado ripped the roofs off nearly 500 homes, totally destroyed 90 others and downed more than 1,000 trees.

In addition to substantial damage in South Dagon Township, several other areas were also affected, including Thingangyun, Botahtaung, Kyauktada, Lanmadaw, Dala and Hlaing Thar Yar Industrial Zone.

The New Light of Myanmar said township authorities, social organizations and employees of the Rangoon City Development Committee had cleared much of the damage and provided assistance to two of the injured.

But some residents said those who lost their homes will have to fend for themselves to rebuild. Local authorities, residents say, have no plans to supply timber for rebuilding.

Rumors have circulated among communities in Rangoon that the nongovernmental organization World Vision has supplied 25 million kyat (nearly $200,000) in assistance for tornado victims but that those in need have received o­nly a few basic items.

Last week’s tornado followed a cyclone that struck outlying areas of Sittwe in western Arakan State in mid-May. That storm affected 10,000 local residents and destroying about 2,000 homes. Fourteen people were reported killed and fifteen remain missing.

Following the storm, the Japanese government donated 10 million yen ($82,575) to help residents in need.