Sittwe, Arakan State : The Western Command Commander had cautioned the authorities of 17 Townships in Arakan State on May 14 about a cyclone that was moving slowly towards Arakan State from the Kapali Sea . He said preparation for the approaching cyclone needs to be made, according to an official source.
The well-marked low trough formed over the “ Kapli Sea � and adjoining areas was likely not to intensify further as it persisted there till 1:30 pm on May 14, the official source added.
It is not likely to intensify further in " Kapali Sea " and near the Irrawady delta and will weaken and move to Arakan State , eleven days after the devastating cyclone, "Nargis" lashed Burma .
The authorities concerned taking steps for people living on the sea coast. In most of the coastal Townships such as--- Sittwe, Sandoway, Kyaukpru, Rambree, Myinbya, Rathedaung and Maungdaw--- the authorities have already formed working groups with municipal officials, Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), fire brigade and Red Cross members for helping the people if the cyclone hits the coast belt, according to a police source in Sittwe (Akyab).
The cyclone is expected to have wind speeds of 45 mph to 50 mph and hit within three to five days in areas including Sittwe, Kyaukpru, Rambree, and Sandoway and other towns in Arakan State , the authorities announced in Sittwe and other towns through loud speakers.
The cyclone protection groups in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State , are collecting money kyat 5,000, 2,500 and 1,500 according to their financial status for buying emergency materials.
People are fleeing from the sea coast in fear of the cyclone though the junta announced that the cyclone is likely not to intensify and slowly move towards Arakan State . People do not believe the junta's announcement because of the Cyclone Nargis on May 2-3, where thousands of people perished and thousands went missing because of junta's false information, said a trader in Sittwe.
