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