Dr. Myint Than (Nyaunglebin)
EXTREMELY Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis was an uncommonly destructive and deadly cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar. The cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on Friday, 2 May 2008. Nargis developed on 27 April in the central area of Bay of Bengal. Initially, the storm tracked slowly northwestward, and encountering favourable conditions, it quickly strengthened. Nargis rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of at least 165 km/h (105 mph) on 2 May, according to India Meteorological Department — IMD observations; the Joint Typhoon warning Centre — JTWC assessed peak winds of 215 km/h (130 mph). The cyclone moved ashore in the Ayeyawady Division of Myanmar at peak intensity after gaining extra strength near Hainggyi Island.
Terrible losses
The natural disaster killed at least 138,000 persons and destroyed USD 10 billion worth of property. Failure to provide help in time had also increased the number of death and the amount of property lost. In one incident, the father survived, but lost all his three children and wife, as he could not hold them till morning.
Worst floods
Cyclone season occurs in the northern Indian Ocean between April and December every year. Most of the cyclones appear during the period between May and November. In 2015, Komen was the worst cyclone. It appeared on 7 July, and intensified into a 75 km/h (45 mph) cyclonic storm. Komen dropped torrential rainfall from 16 June to 30 July in 11 regions and states of Myanmar, causing floods that killed 27 people and hit another 150,000. It destroyed about 170,000 homes, according to the estimated records. The cyclone might trigger the biggest flood in Myanmar. July alone received 600 millimeters or two feet of rain. As the rains were heavy in the upper parts of Myanmar, there were floods in many areas. Chin and Rakhine states and Sagaing and Magway regions were declared disaster-hit zones.
Another tragic event
This year, Mon State, Taninthayi Region and Kayin State face unprecedented floods. The worst is the landslide that triggered bythe downpours in Thanbyugon ward, Thaephyugon village, Paung Township, Mon State. About 14 homes collapsed due to the landslide. A total of 65 persons died and 27 were injured by the landslide. A station hospital in Mottama was inundated. Mawlamyine, Ye and many other towns were facing floods. Chairman of Natural Disaster Management Committee Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye and officials arrived at the areas together with relief aids on 11 August. They also made arrangements to facilitate the flow of aids to the disaster-hit areas, in addition to providing direct assistance to the victims. Floods can cause a lot of damages. They can trigger landslides, cause erosion, destroy crops, humans and animals and cause other losses.
Direct impacts
Floods have a lot of direct impacts on the human society. They can cause loss of human lives and farm animals and property. They can also destroy towns and villages, transport and communication facilities, cut off power lines, halt production industries and cause clean water shortages due to contamination. In many cases, floods are followed by epidemics, as waterborne diseases are easy to spread. But it will be difficult to evacuation people or transport or treat victims amidst the floods which make every infrastructureunusable. The worst is that floods may even cause famine and national economic loss. They can also destroy the natural environment by falling a large number of trees. Moreover, because of floods, poisonous creatures likes snakes may come out of their holes and cause harm to man.
Indirect and long-term impact
Generally, economic losses occur in the aftermath of floods. Many of the crops, businesses and factories were destroyed beyond repair during the inundation. Loss of transport facilities has made everything worse. There will be shortage of crucial goods and rise in commodity prices. Jobs were also lost, and many people are suffering from chronic mental problems due to loss of their family members or property or both. Floods may also turn residences into chronic wet houses which can cause ill health and are unfit for living.
We can say that the recentlandslide in Mon State is the worst tragedy Myanmar people have faced after the Nargis Cyclone. A large number of people perished in a single catastrophe. It shows that we are still weak in taking natural disaster preparatory measures. We must always be aware of the natural disasters of every kind. It may be difficult to prevent a natural disaster, but we can take preparatory measures to mitigate the impacts. The most important requirement is the awareness that we all should have.
Prevention
Public knowledge of the seasonal natural hazards and preparatory measures should be disseminated. Moreover, regular simulation drills in connection with natural disasters should be conducted in wards, villages and towns, and emergency evacuation programs should be laid down. Infectious diseases prevention, together with search and rescue programs and life saving measures including first aid treatments must be made available during every critical period.
So that search and rescue works and emergency evacuation, together with disease prevention, treatment and transport programs will be ready in case a natural disaster hits an area.
The strength of social organizations is required in providing disease treatment, drinking water supply, protection and rehabilitation for the victims.
A study of the disaster management cycle shows the vitality of preparatory measures against a natural disaster or pre-impact as it is called. Preparations include the effective response programs, the ability to handle and control the situation well, rehabilitation plans to mitigate loss and sufferings to the most possible degree.
(Translated by TMT)
