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Burma cyclone death toll 'at 243' Burma cyclone death toll 'at 351'
(about 3 hours later)
A tropical cyclone has killed at least 243 people in Burma and damaged thousands of buildings, according to state television. A tropical cyclone has killed at least 351 people in Burma and damaged thousands of buildings, according to state television.
Parts of the Irrawaddy region were hit particularly badly, with three out of four buildings reportedly blown down in one district.Parts of the Irrawaddy region were hit particularly badly, with three out of four buildings reportedly blown down in one district.
Burma has declared Irrawaddy and four other regions, including the main city Rangoon, to be disaster areas.Burma has declared Irrawaddy and four other regions, including the main city Rangoon, to be disaster areas.
Rangoon has been without power and water, its streets full of debris.Rangoon has been without power and water, its streets full of debris.
Winds of about 190km/h (120mph) battered the Irrawaddy, Rangoon, Bago, Karen and Mon regions.Winds of about 190km/h (120mph) battered the Irrawaddy, Rangoon, Bago, Karen and Mon regions.
The latest death toll of 351 includes 109 people who lived on Haing Gyi island, off the south-west coast, officials say.
Military and police personnel have been carrying out rescue operations.Military and police personnel have been carrying out rescue operations.
Cyclone Nargis has since moved towards Thailand where storm warnings have been issued. However, it appears to be lessening in force.Cyclone Nargis has since moved towards Thailand where storm warnings have been issued. However, it appears to be lessening in force.
Phone links downPhone links down
In Irrawaddy's Labutta township, 75% of buildings collapsed and 20% had their roofs ripped off, state TV said.In Irrawaddy's Labutta township, 75% of buildings collapsed and 20% had their roofs ripped off, state TV said.
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Footage of the damage caused by the cycloneFootage of the damage caused by the cyclone
In the Irrawaddy delta region as a whole, the cyclone brought down more than 20,000 houses.In the Irrawaddy delta region as a whole, the cyclone brought down more than 20,000 houses.
In Rangoon, internet and phone connections have been down since the storm drew near, making it difficult to confirm the extent of the damage.In Rangoon, internet and phone connections have been down since the storm drew near, making it difficult to confirm the extent of the damage.
Official media report that four people were killed and four vessels sank in the former Burmese capital's harbour.Official media report that four people were killed and four vessels sank in the former Burmese capital's harbour.
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.
'Like Katrina''Like Katrina'
One unnamed Rangoon resident described the damage in the city for the BBC Burmese service. One Rangoon resident described the damage in the city for the BBC Burmese service: "Everything was wrecked. Roofs of the houses and satellite dishes were blown away."
In pictures: Burma cycloneIn pictures: Burma cyclone
"Everything was wrecked," he said. A Rangoon-based diplomat quoted by Reuters news agency described the city as an "utter war zone".
"Roofs of the houses and satellite dishes were blown away. Windows were broken at Yuzana Plaza. Roadside billboards were all blown away... Everything is in a mess." Anthony Craig, a regional official of the UN World Food Programme based in Thailand, said that judging from the damage caused to solid buildings in Rangoon, damage elsewhere was likely to be extensive.
Many roofs were reportedly ripped off even sturdy buildings in Rangoon. "We're seeing a lot of trees down, a lot of billboards blown away, roofs of houses gone, so that is worrying when you consider the type of construction that is there, compared to the type of construction that is elsewhere," Mr Craig told the BBC.
"I have never seen anything like it," one retired government worker told Reuters.
"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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