A press conference on conditions of some regions of Myanmar that were struck by the cyclonic storm ‘Nargis’ and relief measures being taken was held at the Myanmar Raido and Television’s Studio (A) Hall on Pyay Road here at 11 am today.

It was attended by Chairman of Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and for Immi-gration and Population Maj-Gen Maung Maung Swe, heads of departments and enterprises under the Ministry of Information, chief-editors of dailies, the Chairman of Myanmar Writers and Journalists Association, the Vice- Chairman and executives, the Patron of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, the President and member correspondents, members of editorial boards of magazines and journals and guests.

In his clarification, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan said that the severe cyclonic storm Nargis originated in Bay of Bangal as a low pressure area. The low pressure area became stronger on 27 April and reached a state of a small storm. The cyclone passed over Hainggyi Island region on 2 May as it had become stronger and stronger. At 10 pm on 2 May, it became stronger with a wind speed from 50 to 60 miles per hour, at midnight with a wind speed of 70 miles per hour and at 2 pm with a wind speed of 120 miles. The cyclone with a diameter of about 150 miles struck Ayeyawady, Yangon and Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States on 2 and 3 May and moved into north-eastwards and weakened.

The government issued warnings to the people as to the severe cyclonic storm Nargis since 24 April through newspapers, radio and TV. The warnings of radio and TV on 1 May and that of newspapers on 2 May said that the cyclone could bring damages to north-east regions such as Thayawady and Yangon and to north regions such as Gwa, Pathein, Myaungmya, Labutta, Mawlamyin g y u n , Kyonmangay, Chaungtha, Ngwehsaung and Bogale, and there can be strong wind during the cyclonic storm.

The National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee was informed of the cyclone. The NDPCC was formed in 2005 to take necessary measures in case of disaster drawing lessons from the incident of Tsunami that occurred in South-east Asian region in December 2005.

In line with the warnings, cyclonic storm Nargis struck Ayeyawady Division, Yangon Division, Mon State and Kayin State from 2 May morning to 3 May evening. Therefore, there were losses and damages in Ayeyawady Division, Yangon Division, Mon State and Kayin State, he added.

Members of NDPCC led by Prime Minister General Thein Sein rushed to the cyclone hit areas from Nay Pyi Taw soon after the meeting of NDPCC held on 3 May morning and started launching a drive for clearing debris and carrying out reconstruction and relief works. Similarly, the State Peace and Development Council issued An-nouncement No 4/2008 on 3 May and designated the affected regions, namely, Yangon, Ayeyawady and Bago Divisions and Mon and Kayin States as disaster stricken regions under the announcement so as to be able to take the national level relief measures, he noted.

In the meantime, senior military officers led by Prime Minister General Thein Sein together with some NDPCC members are supervising the clearing and relief works in Yangon Division and other cyclone-hit states and divisions. Together with the Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein is supervising the relief measures by helicopter, he said.

Lt-Gen Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defence, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Hla Htay Win, members of NDPCC Ministers Maj- Gen Khin Maung Myint, Brig-Gen Lun Thi, Brig- Gen Maung Maung Thein, Maj-Gen Hla Tun, Maj- Gen Maung Maung Swe, Maj-Gen Aung Kyi, Brig- Gen Kyaw Hsan, Brig-Gen

Tin Naing Thein, Brig-Gen Thein Zaw and Col Zaw Min, Deputy Ministers Brig-Gen Myint Thein, Brig-Gen Phone Swe and Dr Mya Oo are supervising the clearing and relief tasks in Yangon Division. Tatmadaw members of No 11 LID and No 77 LID, members of Myanmar Police Force, Tatmadawmen of Yangon Command, members of Yangon Divison USDA Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross, Fire Brigade and War Veterans Organization are participating in the campaign. Tatmadaw helicopters are being used wherever necessary, he disclosed.

In a similar manner, Commander-in- Chief (Navy) Vice- Admiral Soe Thein, Adjutant-General Maj- Gen Thura Myint Aung, Commander of South- West Command Brig-Gen Kyaw Swe and members of NDPCC Ministers Maj- Gen Htay Oo, Maj-Gen Tin Htut, Brig-Gen Thein Aung and Col Thein Nyunt are making field trips to supervise the clearing and relief works in Ayeyawady Division with the use of Tatmadaw helicopters wherever necessary.

Tatmadaw members of No 66 LID and Western Command, MPF members, USDA members, members of Women’s Affairs Federation, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross, Fire Brigade and War Veterans Organization in Ayeyawady Division are participating in the drive.

Commander of Southern Command Maj- Gen Ko Ko, members of NDPCC Ministers Maj-Gen Aung Min, Brig-Gen Thura Aye Myint, Deputy Ministers Thura U Thaung Lwin and U Ohn Myint are supervising the clearing and relief tasks in Bago Division being carried out by Tatmadawmen of Southern Command, MPF members, USDA members, members of Women’s Affairs Federation, Maternal and Child Wel-fare Association, Red Cross, Fire Brigade and War Veterans Organization in Bago Division.

Maj-Gen Tha Aye of the Ministry of Defence, Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Thet Naing Win, members of NDPCC Ministers Brig-Gen Ohn Myint and Brig-Gen Thura Myint Maung are supervising the clearing and relief tasks in Mon State being carried out by Tatmadawmen of South-East Command, MPF members, USDA members, members of Women’s Affairs Federation, Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Red Cross, Fire Brigade and War Veterans Organization in Mon State.

Owing to collective efforts of the Tatmadaw and the people, motor roads, railroads and waterways can be serviceable and foreign and domestic airlines return to normal while the storm-hit roads and highways are now used by with traffic.

For electricity, steps are being taken in first and second phases for power supply. In the first phase, power supply to No 2 Defence Services General Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Central Women’s Hospital, Yangon General Hospital, Western General Hospital, Insein Communication Station, Insein GSM Station, Mayangon Overseas Communication Station, five CNG Filling Stations, Yangon International Airport, University of Computer Studies, Phugi Water works, Yayku Water works and Shwedagon Pagoda can be carried out.

In the second phase, 4,000 employees are repairing the power supply system and power will be distributed to complete power supply network.

Out of five water supply stations in Yangon, Gyobyu Water Supply Station supplies water to Yangon regularly, and Phugyi, Hlawga and Yegu start water supply as they have been repaired. Nyaunghnapin Water Supply Station is under repair and it is expected to supply water within one or two days.

Seven generators — two 100-KV generators in Hlinethaya Township, two generators in Thingangyun Township, two generators in Thakeyta Township and one generator in Latha Township — are being used to supply water to residents in Yangon. Arrangements have been made to bring 35-KVA, 360 KVA and 500- KVA generators to Yangon to be used in water supply tasks in Yangon.

Water supply stations on Maha Bandoola Street, at City Hall, in Thakeyta, Yeku and Ahlon townships are supplying water to residents in Yangon. The connection of mobile phone system is restored to its good condition, and 100 CDMA phones have been installed in Yangon for public use and more CDMA phones will be installed in Yangon.

Regarding the prices of consumer goods, officials concerned are closely supervising the sales of household goods and foods.

Regarding loss and casualties caused by the cyclonic storm Nargis, 59 dead and 504 went missing in Yangon Division, two dead in Einme, Ayeyawady Division, 1,835 dead and 2,187 went missing in Mawlamyinegyun Township, 975 dead on Hainggyi Island, 253 dead and 16 went missing on Khatta Island, Ahma Township, 789 dead and 172 went missing in Dedaye Township and five dead in Pyapon Township. Over10,000 dead in Bogale Township and over 1,000 dead in Labutta Township.

The Government earmarked K 5 billion to be spent on relief works, and aids, and assistance from the people and businessmen are required to turn the situation into normal situation as the storm caused heavy loss and damages.

Relief aids from local as well as foreign countries are needed to help victims. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and I also briefed Diplomats and officials of UN agencies and NGOs on conditions of the loss and damages and relief works.

Thailand will donate US $ 100,000 and relief aid to the victims and a plane loaded with relief aid from Thailand will arrive Yangon International Airport today and a plane loaded with relief aids from

the People’s Republic of China will arrive here today. Relief aid from Singapore is expected to arrive here within a week and other countries have made arrangements to donate relief aid to Myanmar. We also want to express thanks to those countries which show sympathy for loss and damage of Myanmar due to the storm.

Items that are in need are tents, plastic, tarpaulin, CI sheets, clothes, drinking water, medicines, instant foods, blankets, clothes, nails and zinc sheets.

There are rumours related to the loss and damage and people should not believe them. The State-owned media has released information and news. Relief and rehabilitation works are being carried out as a national duty. People are to inform the local authority if they find those who spread rumours.

As the affected area is large, tasks to be carried out are huge. Therefore, there would be difficulties to perform these tasks. Joining hands with NGOs, the people and donors from local and abroad, the government will work hard to carry out relief and rehabilitation works until these efforts meet with success, the minister said.

Officials concerned replied to queries raised by journalists and the press conference ended.