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| Burma declares cyclone disaster | Burma declares cyclone disaster |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Burma has declared five regions as disaster areas, including the main city Rangoon, after a large tropical cyclone hit the country, state media report. | Burma has declared five regions as disaster areas, including the main city Rangoon, after a large tropical cyclone hit the country, state media report. |
| The military-run Myaddy television station said Irrawaddy, Bago, Karen and Mon states were also hit hard by winds of about 190km/h (120mph). | The military-run Myaddy television station said Irrawaddy, Bago, Karen and Mon states were also hit hard by winds of about 190km/h (120mph). |
| Cyclone Nargis is reported to have killed at least four people in Rangoon. | Cyclone Nargis is reported to have killed at least four people in Rangoon. |
| The city is without power and water, and the streets are full of debris from fallen trees and damaged buildings. | The city is without power and water, and the streets are full of debris from fallen trees and damaged buildings. |
| The cyclone is now moving into Thailand where storm warnings have been issued. | The cyclone is now moving into Thailand where storm warnings have been issued. |
| However, it appears to be lessening in force. | However, it appears to be lessening in force. |
| 'Lot of damage' | 'Lot of damage' |
| Internet and phone connections have been down since the storm neared the former Burmese capital, making it difficult to confirm the extent of the damage. | Internet and phone connections have been down since the storm neared the former Burmese capital, making it difficult to confirm the extent of the damage. |
| In the Irrawaddy river delta, more than half of the buildings had been damaged or had collapsed, official newspapers reported. | In the Irrawaddy river delta, more than half of the buildings had been damaged or had collapsed, official newspapers reported. |
| Official media also reported that four vessels had sunk in Rangoon harbour. | Official media also reported that four vessels had sunk in Rangoon harbour. |
| A UN regional official told Reuters news agency it would take several days to assess the scale of the damage. | A UN regional official told Reuters news agency it would take several days to assess the scale of the damage. |
| "There does not seem to be a high number of casualties but for sure there is a lot of damage to property and infrastructure," Therje Skavdal said, speaking from Bangkok. | "There does not seem to be a high number of casualties but for sure there is a lot of damage to property and infrastructure," Therje Skavdal said, speaking from Bangkok. |
| Military and police units have been deployed in Rangoon to help clear up the damage, an official at the information ministry said. | Military and police units have been deployed in Rangoon to help clear up the damage, an official at the information ministry said. |
| "So far we know there were casualties [deaths], but we cannot release the details yet as we are still collecting information," he told AFP news agency. | "So far we know there were casualties [deaths], but we cannot release the details yet as we are still collecting information," he told AFP news agency. |
| News of the four deaths in Rangoon was reported in state newspapers. | News of the four deaths in Rangoon was reported in state newspapers. |
| 'Like Katrina' | 'Like Katrina' |
| A UN official, speaking anonymously, told The Associated Press: | A UN official, speaking anonymously, told The Associated Press: |
| Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians? They should come out... and help clean up... Rangoon trishaw driver | Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians? They should come out... and help clean up... Rangoon trishaw driver |
| "It's a bad situation. Almost all the houses are smashed. People are in a terrible situation. | "It's a bad situation. Almost all the houses are smashed. People are in a terrible situation. |
| "All the roads are blocked. There is no water. There is no electricity." | "All the roads are blocked. There is no water. There is no electricity." |
| Many roofs were reportedly ripped off even sturdy buildings in Rangoon. | Many roofs were reportedly ripped off even sturdy buildings in Rangoon. |
| "I have never seen anything like it," one retired government worker told Reuters. | "I have never seen anything like it," one retired government worker told Reuters. |
| "It reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina hit the United States." | "It reminded me of when Hurricane Katrina hit the United States." |
| A trishaw driver in Rangoon, who did not want to be identified, complained that the security forces were not doing enough to help. | A trishaw driver in Rangoon, who did not want to be identified, complained that the security forces were not doing enough to help. |
| "Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians?" he said. | "Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians?" he said. |
| "They should come out in full force and help clean up the areas and restore electricity." | "They should come out in full force and help clean up the areas and restore electricity." |
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