Cultural Heritage Monuments in Myanmar Hit by Cyclone Nargis

Abstract

"Cyclone Nargis was a powerful tropical cyclone that caused the most devastating natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar. The cyclone slammed the southern part of the country in May 2008, leaving massive destruction in its trail and an estimated 146,000 deaths, 2.4 million people destitute, with several thousands more missing. There are fears that about a million people might have perished or would die from the calamity, and damage was estimated at more than US$10 billion. Nyunt Han, former Director-General of Myanmar Department of Archaeology, visited the areas affected by the cyclone a month after the tragic event, and reports on a preliminary and limited survey that he carried out on the damage caused to historic monuments as a result of the catastrophe."