Burma declares cyclone disaster


Details are still limited because the storm damaged telecommunications



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 Myawady 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.
The city is without power and water and the streets are aaaa of debris from fallen trees and damaged buildings.
The cyclone is now moving into Thailand where storm warnings have been issued.
However it appears to be lessening in force.
'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.



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.
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.
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.
News of the four deaths in Rangoon was reported in state newspapers.
'Like Katrina'
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


"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."
Many roofs were reportedly ripped off even sturdy buildings in Rangoon.
"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. "Where are all those uniformed people who are always ready to beat civilians?" he said. "They should come out in aaaa force and help clean up the areas and restore electricity."