Powerful Cyclone, Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis, Slams into Burma

A powerful tropical cyclone, severe cyclonic storm Nargis, made landfall on Burma yesterday with winds in excess of 105 knots, and passing very close to the main city of Yangon, closing the airport and disrupting traffic and communications.

The BBC is reporting that three people have died and the number of casualties is likely to increase as the situation becomes clearer.

The Bay of Bengal often breeds the world's deadliest tropical cyclones. The combination of poverty, high population density and large storm surges often result in major disasters. In November of last year cyclone Sidr struck Bangladesh killing over 2000 people.

Be sure to check back here for more updates on this developing situation....

For more information please consult the following websites:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7382298.stm - BBC News article

https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc.php - JTWC

www.typhoonfury.com