Chairman of National Disasters Preparedness Central Committee Vice President U Nyan Tun and officials from the Management Committee are going to make close supervision based in Ann of Rakhine State starting from the 14th.
Military aircrafts, helicopters, vessels and vehicles are getting ready for evacuation and medical teams and other supportive teams were also formed.
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Nay Pyi Taw, 14 May
“Natural disaster is unpreventable. It needs to overcome the disasters with least damages through preparedness,” President U Thein Sein said at the coordination meeting for Cyclone Mahasen held at the meeting hall of Union government at the Presidential Palace here this morning.
It was also attended by Vice-Presidents Dr Sai Mauk Kham and U Nyan Tun, the Union ministers, deputy ministers and departmental heads.
In his opening speech, the President said that the news on the Cyclone “Mahasen” is likely to cross between the west coasts of Rakhine and Bangladesh on 15 and 16 May, has been released. It is difficult to predict the storm as it can turn to the low pressure areas. Myanmar had experience of the storm “Nargis” hit in Ayeyawady Region on 2 May, 2008.
Necessary preparations are being made as the direction of the storm “Mahasen” is likely to turn to other states and regions. Officials have been instructed to carry out necessary preparedness in Magway Region.
There are four-step measures: preparedness before the storm, tasks during the storm, recues and relief and rehabilitation after the storm.
It needs to carry out systematic measures. After the storm “Nargis”, National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee and work committee were formed and standing orders have been issued.
Maungtaw and Sittway in Rakhine State are most disaster-prone areas. There are over 100,000 victims in Sittway, Myebon, Pauktaw and Kyaukpyu townships. Among them, 40,000- 50,000 victims are in Sittway. Some victims are living at makeshift camps while others have been moved to the safe buildings.
The wind speed of the storm will be about 120 mile per hour. Tide might be dangerous for those victims at the temporary camps and people in low-laying areas.
Priority is being given for evacuation of people there. The evacuation has started on 13 May as the storm “Mahasen” is likely to hit the region on 16 May. They are evacuated by cars and vessels. Priority is being given for evacuation of child, women, the aged and the sick persons.
They were moved to buildings of Tatmadaw battalions, schools and hills. The crucial point of evacuation is life-saving. It needs to move people as quickly as possible.
Security, foods and health care are crucial. He urged officials to carry out the relief tasks on a humanitarian ground, setting aside races and religions. And he also highlighted life-saving of people.
Chairman of Natural Disaster Preparedness Central Committee Vice- President U Nyan Tun went to Rakhine State this afternoon and supervised emergency preparedness works. They will camp at An township and closely supervised the works.
The President clarified arrangements for Tatmadaw aircrafts and helicopters to be in a ready position in time of emergency. He warned of possible danger of flash floods like floods occurred in Magway region due to impact of heavy rains in Maungtaw of Rakhine State last year. So directives had already been given to prepare for possible danger of storm, he added.
Next, he elaborated reformation of National Natural Disaster Preparedness Central Committee, its duties and functions, formation of work committee and its responsibilities.
Then, Secretary of NNDPCC Deputy Minister U Phone Swe explained preparation for disaster risk reduction.
After wards , the Union ministers and deputy ministers reported to the President on risk management plans..
In his concluding remarks, the President called on those present to fully prepare for safety procedures, to carry out evacuation works in accord with the laws, to make local people know the situation at the grass root level, to form international relations, information and health subcommittees and start the works, to place emphasis on ensuring safe drinking water, ystematic management and ealth matters and to make necessary coordination in real time.
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