Cyclone Mocha causes death & destruction in Myanmar; see pics

Tens of thousands of people in a major Myanmar port city were cut off from the rest of the world after a cyclone tore through the west of the country and neighbouring Bangladesh on Monday (May 15). Cyclone Mocha, the biggest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in over a decade, made landfall in Myanmar's Sittwe packing winds of up to 195 kilometres (120 miles) per hour.

Rescuers evacuated about 1,000 people trapped by seawater 3.6 meters (12 feet) deep along western Myanmar's coast on Monday after the powerful cyclone Mocha injured hundreds and cut off communications. Credit: AFP Photo

Damage and over half a dozen deaths have been reported but the true impact was not yet clear in Myanmar. Credit: AFP Photo

Strong winds injured more than 700 of about 20,000 people who were sheltering in sturdier buildings on the highlands of Sittwe township such as monasteries, pagodas and schools, according to a leader of the Rakhine Youths Philanthropic Association in Sittwe. Credit: AFP Photo

Seawater raced into more than 10 low-lying wards near the shore as Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Rakhine state Sunday afternoon, he said. Residents moved to roofs and higher floors, while the wind and storm surge prevented immediate rescue. Credit: AFP Photo

Water was still about 1.5 meters (5 feet) high in flooded areas later on Monday but rescues were being made as the wind calmed and the sun rose in the sky. He asked civil society organizations and authorities to send aid and help evacuate residents. Credit: AFP Photo

Six deaths were reported by Myanmar media and rescue groups. Several injuries were reported in neighbouring Bangladesh, which was spared the predicted direct hit. Credit: AFP Photo

Mocha made landfall near Sittwe township with winds blowing up to 209 kilometers (130 miles) per hour, Myanmar's Meteorological Department said. By midday Monday, it had weakened to a tropical depression, according to the India Meteorological Department. Credit: AFP Photo

High winds crumpled cell phone towers, but in videos collected by local media before communications were lost, deep water raced through streets and wind blew off roofs. Credit: AFP Photo

Local residents check the damages after Cyclone Mocha's crashed ashore, in Kyauktaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine state. Credit: AFP Photo