The Intersection

Cyclone Nargis Death Toll Could Reach Exceeds 10,000

Posted by Sheril R. Kirshenbaum on May 5, 2008
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* UPDATE: The death toll from the Myanmar cyclone has exceeded 10,000 people. *

For over a week, we’ve been watching and worrying about Cyclone Nargis from halfway around the world. The storm hit Maynmar on Saturday with wind speeds reaching 190km/h (120mph).

YANGON, Myanmar (CNN) — Almost 4,000 people have died and another 3,000 remain missing in Myanmar as a result of this weekend’s devastating cyclone, state media reported Monday amid fears that the death toll could continue to soar.

Diplomats summoned to a government briefing on Monday said the foreign minister had acknowledged that as many as 10,000 could be dead as the reclusive southeast Asian country’s ruling military junta issued a rare appeal for international assistance in the face of an escalating humanitarian crisis.

i-49db3ef6fa2b369d23af0c81b5374f8a-image4069147g.jpgAccording to the BBC, Tropical Cyclone Nargis may be the world’s deadliest storm since a 1999 cyclone in India, which killed up to 10,000 people. Jeff Masters explains the counter-clockwise circulation of winds around the storm likely built up a storm surge of at least 4 meters (13 feet), drowning thousands in the Irrawaddy Delta region. Our hearts and thoughts are with the people of Myanmar.

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Comments

  1. #1 Emily
    May 5, 2008

    Once again the Intersection was out ahead of mainstream media in letting readers know about the coming catastrophe. Thanks for your attention to cyclones over on the other side of the world.

  2. #2 Linda
    May 5, 2008

    Your Category 4 warning certainly did devastate the country. The loss of life is mind boggling, and so very sad. Again, a lot of humanitarian aid should be at hand.
    My heart goes out to the people there.

  3. #3 CL
    May 5, 2008

    I have compiled a before-and-after set of MODIS imagery of the region which took the direct strike. The images indicate extensive regional flooding.

    Combined with reports such as that here, Nargis looks to be a rapidly-maturing humanitarian disaster.

    Here is the link.< \a>

  4. #4 JD
    May 6, 2008

    A northern hemisphere category 4 hurricane in May?! Isn’t that highly unusual?

  5. #5 Chris C. Mooney
    May 6, 2008

    Hi JD,
    In the Atlantic or Northeast Pacific it would be. My sense is that in the Northwest Pacific, or in the Indian Ocean, not as much…