Toll Of Cyclone Rises In Burma

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31681, 17 May 1968, Page 11

Toll Of Cyclone Rises In Burma

f.N Z P A -Reuter —Copyright) AKYAB (Burma), May 16. About 20,000 acres of cultivated land in south-western Burma lay under water today as tired relief workers toiled to house and feed 100,000 families who fell victim to Burma’s worst cvclone disaster last Fridav.

Officials fear the rising death toll will soar above the 1000 mark. So far, 837 bodies have been recovered in five towns alone, hut reports from outlying regions are delayed by disrupted communications. Troops have joined relief and rescue operations in the

devastated area, consisting of 20 miles of coastal land near the Bay of Bengal. Refugees yesterday cont-. plained about a shortage of food, clothing and medicine when a Revolutionary Coun-I cil member. Colonel Maung U, | visited them after flying over: the region in a helicopter. Officials today plan to re-[ settle hundreds of thousands of homeless victims, many of i whom are staying in makeshift shelters, in schools, pagodas and Government offices. Winds reaching 120 miles; an hour caught the population unprepared.