VICE Chairman of the State Administration Council, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee-NDMC, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win met with the people affected by natural disaster due to the heavy rains from 20 May in Mawlamyine, Chaungzon, Thanbyuzayat, Thaton and Paung townships, officials of the Mon State Disaster Management bodies and department officials in Mawlamyine yesterday.
At the meeting, the Mon State Chief Minister reported to the Vice-Senior General on the situation of the floods, evacuation of flood victims to shelters, assistanceof the state government, local military personnel and charities to the victims, repairs of the damages to bridges and buildings, formation of disaster management teams, and conditions for providing necessary health care services to flood victims.
While addressing the meeting, the Vice-Senior General said the five-colour warning system which has been pre-released in stages to make it easier to understand the danger of the cyclones. The yellow level is to warn the fishermen who are going to work at sea to be aware of the cyclone situation in the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The orange level means that the cyclone is moving towards the coast and it is to pay close attention to the cyclone’s changes. The red level is that the cyclone will reach the coast after 12 hours and to evacuate to safer places as it may be dangerous. Brown means that the people are in the middle of the cyclone and need to be sheltered in a safe place. The green stage is that the cyclone has weakened and they can return to their homes.
He stressed the need to educate the public to know and understand the colour index classification system. He said, to address the natural disasters, plans are being drawn up based on the experiences of natural disasters in Myanmar such as Cyclone Nargis, Cyclone Giri and Tahley Earthquake. As natural disasters are unavoidable and should be prepared in advance, it can be overcome by preparation, prevention, educating, rehearsing and cooperating if it happens, he said. He also highlighted the need to systematically carry out the rehabilitation works if it happens. The Vice-Senior General also noted that it is necessary to make preparation for taking care of consequent impacts related to tidal wave, outbreak of infected diseases and waterborne diseases.
At the meeting, the flood victims were provided rice, construction materials, cash assistance, and relief supplies, worth over K 40 million. The charities, members of the fire brigade, and the Red Cross Society were also presented with cash assistance.
Afterwards, the Vice-Senior General and party inspected the status of the works carried out at the confluence of the Haungtharaw and Attaran rivers to prevent flood at the Phetkhin road and and Taungwaing road, and provided necessary coordination.
MNA