(May 7, 2008)--The top U.S. diplomat in Myanmar says 100,000 people may have died in the powerful cyclone that struck the country on Saturday.
He says 95 percent of buildings in the affected area are demolished.
Shari Villarosa, who heads the U.S. embassy in the capital Rangoon, said food and water are running short in the Myanmar delta area inundated by the storm.
She called the situation in that area "increasingly horrendous."
"There is a very real risk of disease outbreaks as long as this continues,” she said Wednesday.
She said that almost all the deaths are in the delta area.
In the capital, some 600 to 700 people may have died.
Villarosa also said she does not think the military rulers in Myanmar are blocking U.S. assistance because of the Bush administration's past strong criticism of the junta.
Save
Email
Print
1 comments
Terms of Use -
Privacy Policy -
EEO Statement
-
FCC Form 388