Cyclone Nargis – Case study of a Cyclone in an LEDC
Where – Myanmar (Burma) in SE Asia. The Cyclone developed in the Bay of Bengal and travelled NE
into Myanmar in the coastal area of the Irrawaddy delta
When – Late April and early May 2008
What – A tropical cyclone with winds up to 217 Km and torrential rain and a 4m storm surge. Myanmar
is an LEDC country and one of the poorest and most isolated (economically) in SE Asia. Coastal
defences were very poor as they had not been maintained and 75% of the protective Mangrove
swamps had been removed. Very few ways to get information to people eg 1 in a thousand with
internet access
Impacts
Short term
1.5 milliion people affected
125,000 died
95% of houses destroyed
Sewage systems broke down and contaminated water sources and rice fields
Electricity lines destroyed, bridges broken and roads washed away
Vast numbers of mosquitoes bred in the stagnant water
Little or no help got through to the people becuse the military government would not allow
reporters and aid agencies in to the country
Crops were washed away
Low term
One week later only 1 in 10 had received any aid
Government harassed reporters and restricted access by agencies
Disease such as malaria, typhoid and cholera were rife
Infrastructure was not rebuilt for years
The military government remained very isolated in the world community and received very
negative publicity
Fishing boats were destroyed and with little food available people starved
Some help was finally accepted and some villages received aid but this was limited
A very poor country, Myanmar is now even poorer
Some storm shelters are now being built
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