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Burma's storm toll 'nears 4,000' Burma's storm toll 'nears 4,000'
(40 minutes later)
The death toll from a devastating cyclone that hit western Burma on Saturday has now climbed to almost 4,000 people, state media say. The death toll from a devastating cyclone that hit western Burma on Saturday has now climbed to 3,939 people, state media say.
More than 3,900 people were killed in the city of Rangoon and the Irrawaddy region alone, state television said. All those deaths were recorded in Rangoon and Irrawaddy, only two of five regions declared disaster zones.
Thousands more are feared dead and several hundred thousand people are now in need of shelter and drinking water, according to the United Nations. Many more are feared dead in outlying regions not yet reached by authorities or aid agencies, and survivors are lacking shelter and drinking water.
Five regions have been declared disaster zones in the storm's wake. The UN and aid agencies have offered help to Burma's military government.
If the toll is confirmed, Tropical Cyclone Nargis would be the world's deadliest storm since a 1999 cyclone in India, which killed up to 10,000 people.If the toll is confirmed, Tropical Cyclone Nargis would be the world's deadliest storm since a 1999 cyclone in India, which killed up to 10,000 people.
In addition to those known to have been killed in Rangoon and Irrawaddy, tens of thousands more people may have died in the towns of Bogalay and Laputta, in Irrawaddy, according to the report on state TV.In addition to those known to have been killed in Rangoon and Irrawaddy, tens of thousands more people may have died in the towns of Bogalay and Laputta, in Irrawaddy, according to the report on state TV.
A further 2,879 people were missing and 41 injured, it added.A further 2,879 people were missing and 41 injured, it added.
The known death toll has increased more than 10-fold since earlier on Monday, when state media put it at a minimum of 351.The known death toll has increased more than 10-fold since earlier on Monday, when state media put it at a minimum of 351.
None of the figures have been independently confirmed.None of the figures have been independently confirmed.
Houses 'skeletal'Houses 'skeletal'
The BBC is not permitted to report from Burma, also known as Myanmar.The BBC is not permitted to report from Burma, also known as Myanmar.
But reports from the storm-hit region say thousands of buildings have been flattened, power lines downed, trees uprooted, roads blocked and water supplies disrupted.But reports from the storm-hit region say thousands of buildings have been flattened, power lines downed, trees uprooted, roads blocked and water supplies disrupted.
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Footage of the devastation caused by Cyclone NagrisFootage of the devastation caused by Cyclone Nagris
A Rangoon resident who spoke to relatives in Laputta has told BBC Burmese that 75% to 80% of the town was destroyed.A Rangoon resident who spoke to relatives in Laputta has told BBC Burmese that 75% to 80% of the town was destroyed.
He said houses along the coast had been reduced to skeletal structures while, further along the coast, 16 villages had been virtually wiped out.He said houses along the coast had been reduced to skeletal structures while, further along the coast, 16 villages had been virtually wiped out.
No help had yet reached Laputta, he said.No help had yet reached Laputta, he said.
Pictures on state TV showed security services working to clear roads to allow help through, but in Rangoon and elsewhere there were complaints that the response to the disaster was weak.
"Where are the soldiers and police? They were very quick and aggressive when there were protests in the streets last year," a retired government worker complained to Reuters news agency.
He was referring to protests led by Buddhist monks last year that were quickly put down.
Earlier, a BBC journalist monitoring the situation in Burma from Bangkok, Soe Win, said the shortages of power and water were particularly critical.Earlier, a BBC journalist monitoring the situation in Burma from Bangkok, Soe Win, said the shortages of power and water were particularly critical.
"What [people] are saying is that if the situation continues for another two or three days, that will be really, really difficult for them," he said."What [people] are saying is that if the situation continues for another two or three days, that will be really, really difficult for them," he said.
Aid assessmentAid assessment
UN disaster response official Richard Horsey confirmed that several hundred thousand people were in need of shelter and clean drinking water.UN disaster response official Richard Horsey confirmed that several hundred thousand people were in need of shelter and clean drinking water.
DEADLIEST RECENT STORMS Hurricane Katrina, US, 2005 - at least 1,836 deadOrissa Cyclone, 1999, Northern India - at least 10,000 deadHurricane Mitch, 1998, Central America - at least 11,000 deadTyphoon Thelma, 1991, Philippines - 6,000 deadBangladesh cyclone, 1991 - about 138,000 deadBhola cyclone, 1970 - at least 300,000 deadDEADLIEST RECENT STORMS Hurricane Katrina, US, 2005 - at least 1,836 deadOrissa Cyclone, 1999, Northern India - at least 10,000 deadHurricane Mitch, 1998, Central America - at least 11,000 deadTyphoon Thelma, 1991, Philippines - 6,000 deadBangladesh cyclone, 1991 - about 138,000 deadBhola cyclone, 1970 - at least 300,000 dead
However, he said it was impossible to tell exactly how many people had been affected because of damage to the roads and telephone systems.However, he said it was impossible to tell exactly how many people had been affected because of damage to the roads and telephone systems.
The UN and international aid agencies have sent assessment teams to the worst-hit areas.The UN and international aid agencies have sent assessment teams to the worst-hit areas.
No formal request for help has been received from military-ruled Burma.No formal request for help has been received from military-ruled Burma.
But foreign ministry officials said international assistance would be welcomed when they met foreign diplomats and representatives of the UN and aid agencies, the Associated Press reports.But foreign ministry officials said international assistance would be welcomed when they met foreign diplomats and representatives of the UN and aid agencies, the Associated Press reports.
In a statement, the military junta said a referendum on a proposed new national constitution scheduled for next Saturday would still go ahead, insisting Burmese people were "eagerly looking forward to voting".
Nargis hit the south-east Asian country on Saturday with wind speeds reaching 190km/h (120mph).Nargis hit the south-east Asian country on Saturday with wind speeds reaching 190km/h (120mph).
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