Before The Storm
In the night of the 2nd may of 2008, at 8:00PM, I
found the weather forecast in the internet by this site;
Cyclone Nargis Suddenly Monstrous,Hurricane Unexpectedly
Reaches Category 4 Strength Ahead of Landfall in Myanmar
‘……………Tropical
Cyclone Nargis has suddenly intensified into a monstrous Category 4 storm with
winds of up to 132 mph, according to the latest data from the Joint Typhoon
Warning Center.The latest warning chart published shows the hurricane hours
from landfall in Myanmar………..The last prediction was for Nargis to make
landfall as a Category 1 or Category 2 storm. The latest information shows a
sudden jump in intensity……….The chart below shows that at the point marked by
the time 02/06Z (6 GMT on May 2) Nargis had sustained winds of 115 knots (132
mph) with gusts of up to 140 knots (161 mph). Even after making landfall, it is
expected to remain at Category 2 strength for a time, with winds above 100 mph.
etc’
At about 8:30PM, the electricity was out.
We could not know the further weather report. Although we read the weather news
on the internet, we had no fear. My uncle who lived in South Okalapa phoned us
and said that the cyclone might be over, because there was still calm outside.
Yes, we did not hear even the slight wind blew. We slept so early at night and
had a bad dream!
The Storm
At night, we were wake up by the sound
of airplanes flying and roaring above. We found that it was the sound of the
hideous wind. It went on the whole night until next morning. The 2nd and 3rd May of 2008, we met very terrible monstrous cyclone that we
had never seen before.
After The Storm
 |
| (Photo – After the storm, in front of our portico what we saw fearfully) |
Half of our big trees were fallen and destroyed
by the horrible wind. Our garden was full of ruined trees and the pieces of
roofs. Our fences were broken and scattered into pieces. Most of our broken vases
and flowers, plants were spreading everywhere. Not alone to us, all over the
city of Rangoon seemed like a fallen forest. What we saw might be caused to
feel us heart-attack.
Sweet Are The Uses Of
Adversity
Although we met the catastrophe hard and
pitiless, although we met some kind of naughty people who tried to take
advantage from us under this situation, the neighbors who were long time no see
became warmly helpful to each other. The loving kindness and helpful way were
born in our heart.
Most of the big trees were fallen in the
Rangoon area, so some roads were caused block up with fallen trees. The people
who were strangers to each other came and joined to clear the road with their
own hand and became friends.
We had no electricity for many days. No
TV, no PC, no phone call for almost 20 days. Early to bed and early to rise was
such a manner we behave during those days. We rose every 5:00 o’clock in the
morning (no alarm clock needed!) with fresh and clear mind, have a full of
strength to rebuild our ruined things. We spent the whole days like a stone
aged man far from news and media, no news from our friends and relatives who
lived very remote from us. When the roads were tidy up, our uncles and our
friends came and helped us. At that time, we were so happy to meet each other
again alive.
Although we met such a disaster, we found
such friendship, loving kindness, helpfulness or encouragement that we never
imagined were bear from this unkind world!
Destruction Estimation
 |
| (Photo – After the storm, see how ruin our garden was! Our house was nearly covered with fallen trees. We took many weeks to return our place normal.) |
It was a miracle that although the big
trees were severely destroyed in Rangoon area, there was no death found in
Rangoon during the monstrous cyclonic storm Nargis occurred. But the cyclone
caused catastrophic destruction and at least 138,000 fatalities in Labutta and
Bogale. The Labutta Township alone was reported to have 80,000 dead, with about
10,000 more deaths in Bogale. There were around 55,000 people missing and many
other deaths were found in other towns and areas. There was no family who had
not lost at least one family member under the situation. The survivals there
not only lost their families but also food, water, light, home, clothes were
drifted away. They met the most grievous situation that we could never imagine
even in our dream.
That Can Not Be Cured, Must Be
Endured
Although we who lived in Rangoon did not
meet catastrophic fatalities, we could not forget such a bitter experience that
once happened in our life. We tried hard to bring back our life to become normal
for many days, weeks and months. The offices and other business restored their
work normal a month after the severe cyclone. 3 months after the storm, I could
do my work again and I restored my schedules. We could say our life became
‘normal’ 3 months after the severe storm? We are sure that time can cure all? But
I dared not say such a word to the people who lived in Labutta or Bogalay townships
although the many months have gone by.
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