Storm-hit regions in Myanmar return to normal, Myanmar official media

Myanmar official media claimed on Friday that the country's storm-hit regions have returned to normalcy within one year after these regions were struck by cyclone Nargis in early May last year, citing the hardest-hit Ayeyawaddy delta areas.

"The government made utmost efforts for enabling storm-ravaged regions to enjoy new conditions and new life and to stand on their own strength," said the New Light of Myanmar.

The newspaper also said the state is placing emphasis on the development of agricultural, fishery, marine and transport sector of seaside regions and has built necessary infrastructural buildings including transport ones in order that rescue and relief tasks can be launched in time if there is natural disaster.

It disclosed that a total of 20 cyclone shelters are being built in the areas of Letkhokkon, Phyapon, Pathein and Laputta, saying that these cyclone shelters are designed to be used as schools in normal times, and in times of natural disaster they can be used as shelters.

Over the last four days since Monday, Myanmar top leader Senior-General Than Shwe, who is Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, made an inspection tour to view the progress of rehabilitation and reconstruction in storm-ravaged regions of the Ayeyawaddy delta covering areas of Bogalay, Phypon, Laputta, Pinsalu, Mawlamyinegyun, Haigyigyun, Pathein and Hinthada, and arrived in Yangon on Thursday evening.

Deadly tropical cyclone Nargis hit five divisions and states - Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin on May 2 and 3 last year, of which Ayeyawaddy and Yangon inflicted the heaviest casualties and massive infrastructural damage.

Source: Xinhua