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The devastating Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar on 2 May 2008 with winds up to 200 km/per hour. According to government estimates it led to the loss of 78,000 people, and affected 2.4 million others.
Cyclones of this magnitude can also lead to secondary environmental impacts that pose risks for human life and health in immediate term, and livelihoods and ecosystems in the longer-term. Cyclones may damage industrial infrastructure, leading to releases of hazardous chemicals that put nearby populations at risk. They may also result in the generation of large quantities of waste and debris that need to be managed, can cause or exacerbate landslide risks, or destroy vital ecosystems such as mangroves.
There is so far limited information on the environmental impacts of Nargis. UNEP has offered a range of types of assistance to the government of Myanmar and since the outset of this disaster has been on stand-by to provide assistance. A number of local NGOs are mobilizing efforts to protect environmental resources such as mangroves that have been damaged by the cyclone. UNEP experts will travelling to Yangon to join upcoming environmental assessments and to provide whatever support they can to protect the integrity of Myanmar’s environment, in collaboration with a wide range of partners. |
