Tidal waves towering 12 feet generated by Cyclone Giri have killed nine people and washed away seven villages in Pauk Taw Township in Arakan State, said a community leader, who is distributing relief to victims.

Nine people, six from Re Pike Chai village and three from Nga Ree Chai village, were killed in the tidal surges. A surge as high as 12 feet washed away seven villages in the coastal area of Pauk Taw Township, he said.

The seven villages washed away are Byin Thit, Kyauk Mong, Pyin Gri, Nga Ree Chai, Ree Pike Chai, Thea Dwe, and Nga Mea Byint, located on small Inn Gra Chai Island in the East Phon Ron Ga Archipelago, south of Arakan State's capital Sittwe.

"As far as I know, all homes, monasteries and schools in the seven villages were washed away. The villages are now barren plains without any houses," the source said.

Over 20,000 people in Pauk Taw Township were affected but there has been no government relief since the storm struck six days ago.

"The cyclone victims need emergency relief, including food and water, but no relief has reached them yet. An NGO called Metta Foundation arrived in our town and brought 100 sacks of rice for the victims. I also have plans to travel to the worst hit areas with some officials from Metta Foundation to distribute rice to the victims," he said.

In Pauk Taw Township, several other villages located on islands were also destroyed by the storm and tidal surges. Those villages are Byin Daung, Saw Mae Kyi, Kalar Thein, Zi Shwe Maw, Kan Byin, Nga Pyi Tat, Ponna Gyi, and Sun Bike Village on Myay Ngu Island.

An official from Pauk Taw Township confirmed nine people were killed in the township during the cyclone but he refused to provide further details.

Burmese officials announced that 27 people were killed by Cyclone Giri, when it lashed the Arakan coast, but many believe the death toll is higher.

A youth leader from Kyauk Pru, an area hit hard by the cyclone, told Narinjara over telephone yesterday that the death toll has risen to 93. Among the casualties are nine residents from Pauk Taw, 12 from Min Bya, one from Kyauk Pru , and 71 from Mray Bon Township, where 80 fishing boats reportedly capsized in the storm.