The Deadliest Storm This Millennium

by Sheril R. Kirshenbaum     Department: Earth

* UPDATE: The death toll from the Myanmar cyclone has exceeded 22,500 people. *

Over at The Intersection, we've been tracking Cyclone Nargis, worrying about the storm's landfall in this vulnerable region of the world.  Now the aftermath is devastating as we're learning that this may be the world's deadliest storm since the 1999's Orissa killed up to 10,000  in India.

Nargis hit Maynmar/Burma on Saturday as a Category 4 cyclone with wind speeds reaching 120mph.  Thousands drowned when a surge of at least 13 feet hit the Irrawaddy Delta region.

CNN already reports 4,000 people are confirmed dead with another 3,000 missing.  The Southeast Asian country's ruling military junta issued an appeal for international assistance in the face of an escalating humanitarian crisis.

With so much yet to unfold, we must now focus on doing all we can to provide relief for the people of Myanmar.

Recent Deadliest Storms

• Hurricane Katrina, US, 2005 - at least 1,836 dead
• Orissa Cyclone, 1999, Northern India - at least 10,000 dead
• Hurricane Mitch, 1998, Central America - at least 11,000 dead
• Typhoon Thelma, 1991, Philippines - 6,000 dead
• Bangladesh cyclone, 1991 - about 138,000 dead
• Bhola cyclone, 1970 - at least 300,000 dead

Tags: cyclone nargis, myanmar, storm