At least three people are confirmed dead and thousands rendered homeless after Cyclone Giri lashed the Arakan coast on Friday afternoon.

Winds estimated at a speed of 120 miles an hour and tidal waves five feet high struck the northern part of Ramree Island, including the main town Kyauk Pru. Smaller islands to the north of Ramree are reporting even greater damage.

Three people in Pyin Wan village in Kyaun Tha Ya Island were killed by Cyclone Giri. Many villages located on Kyaun Tha Ya Island and Nga Pa Thon Island were reportedly submerged. Unconfirmed reports of many dead are also coming in from rural areas near Kyauk Pru town on Ramree Island.

In down town Kyauk Pru, over 10,000 cyclone victims are now sheltered at many schools and monasteries. Our reporter says they are in need of emergency relief, especially food and drinking water. Currently local people and social associations are donating food.

The population of Kyauk Pru town is estimated at 50,000 and the total population of the entire Kyauk Pru district, including smaller islands to the north is estimated at over 560,349.