Cyclone Mocha
Three dead and 700 injured as storm pounds Myanmar
A powerful cyclone Mocha has hit the coastlines of Bangladesh and Myanmar after intensifying into the equivalent of a category-five storm.
Cyclone Mocha did not make landfall at the world's largest refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, as earlier feared, but still destroyed hundreds of makeshift shelters in the rohingya camp.
Rescuers have evacuated about 1,000 people trapped by seawater 3.6 metres (12ft) deep along western Myanmar’s coast after a powerful cyclone wounded hundreds and cut off communications in one of Asia's least developed countries.
Strong winds wounded more than 700 of about 20,000 people who were sheltering in sturdier buildings on the highlands of Sittwe township such as monasteries, pagodas and schools, according to a leader of the Rakhine Youths Philanthropic Association in Sittwe.
At least three deaths had been reported earlier in Myanmar, and several injuries were reported in neighbouring Bangladesh, which was spared the predicted direct hit.
Mocha made landfall near Sittwe township with winds blowing up to 209km, Myanmar's Meteorological Department said. By Monday morning it was downgraded from its severe status and was steadily weakening over land, according to the India Meteorological Department.
In 2008, Cyclone Nargis tore through the southern coastal regions of Myanmar, killing almost 140,000 people and severely affecting millions. Most of those who died were killed by a 3.5 metre wall of water that hit the low-lying Irrawaddy Delta.
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