WORLD> Asia-Pacific
Myanmar to build storm-resistant model village
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-12 14:15

YANGON -- Myanmar will build a first-ever storm-resistant model village in cooperation with international experts, the leading local weekly Yangon Times reported Thursday, quoting Myanmar Engineers' Association.

With the assistance of experts from the Tokyo University of Japan and with the combination of technical knowhow applied in most cyclone-hit Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, and that of Myanmar's local regions, such cyclone-resistant model village will be constructed, the report said.

Such model village will be initially built in suitable location in Yangon division, one of two cyclone-hardest-hit divisions after Ayeyawaddy delta, by taking two years' time and is targeted to be completed by February 2010, it said.

According to the report, coordination is being made between the Tokyo University and the Myanmar engineers' association for the move.

The 40-house model village will comprise storm shelter, water distribution system using natural gravity, solar-energy power supply system and cyclone-resistant apartments, it added.

Deadly tropical cyclone Nargis, which occurred over the Bay of Bengal, hit five divisions and states -- Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin on last May 2 and 3, of which Ayeyawaddy and Yangon inflicted the heaviest casualties and massive infrastructure damage.

Villages in some townships such as Ngaputaw, Laputta, Bogalay, Dedaye, Phyapon, Mawlamyinegyun and Haigyigyun in Ayeyawaddy delta and Kungyangon, Kawmu and Kyauktan in Yangon division were almost totally destroyed and some even erased.

The storm has killed 77,738 people and left 55,917 missing and 19,359 injured according to official-released death toll.