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The first report was that hundreds in the delta had died. But by the third
day, estimates were that 40,000 people could be dead or missing, and perhaps one
million might be left homeless. Bodies were floating in rivers that were mixed
with ocean water. There was little fresh water and little food. For unknown
reasons, the government was refusing most offers of international aid.
The cyclone had hit the capital of Myanmar with winds of 120 mph. It was as
powerful as Hurricane Katrina, which in 2005 destroyed much of New Orleans.
Katrina killed 1,800 people and left about 100,000 people homeless.
Meteorologists watched the cyclone closely and warned the Myanmar
government about it two days before the cyclone hit the country. But the Myanmar
government failed to warn citizens to prepare for the dangerous storm.
“We were in our hotel,” said an American tourist who was visiting the
capital with his wife. “We could see the weather changing, but the locals didn’t
seem to be worried. When the wind smashed the windows in our hotel room, we
started worrying. The wind blew the rain and tree branches and other debris into
our room. We went into the bathroom and got into the tub. We didn’t feel safe in
the bathroom, but where could we go? The wind howled and things banged around
forever. We thought we were going to die for sure. When the storm finally
passed, we looked outside. We couldn't believe the destruction. Mostly all we
could see was just water.” There was no telling when power would be restored or
when roads would be usable. The Myanmar government was doing nothing to help
matters. “That’s because they prefer that we all die,” said an angry
survivor. |
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发表于 2016-7-10 09:20:52