Statement by Major General Zaw Min Tun on Weather Predictions of Possible Cyclonic Storm

The leader of SAC Information Team Maj-Gen. Zaw Min Tun explained current status of possible cyclone and storms, and the preparedness of the Government through the telecommunication as the predictions and reports of possible cyclone in Bay of Bengal causing panic among the public.

The excerpts from the explanation of the SAC Information Team leader Maj-Gen. Zaw Min Tun are as follows –

• According to the weather forecast and reports of Meteorology and Hydrology Department of Myanmar, a low-pressure area may form over the Bay of Bengal and it is likely to intensify into a storm, and it may enter Myanmar on 13 and 14 May.
• All of the weather predictions might alter depending on the time of forecast, forecasting models and data applied. Therefore, Meteorology and Hydrology Department of Myanmar will issue weather reports in timely manner.
• In case the storm land falls, the department will release to public in timely manner the statement of the intensifying levels of storm such as its color-coding scheme of yellow, orange, brown and green.
• The State-run media outlets of Myanmar Radio and Television, Myawady Television, Radio-FMs are broadcasting the timely weather reports and storm warnings released by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
• Under the directive of the Prime Minister of the State, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win led the National Disaster Management Committee Emergency Meeting.
• At the meeting, the attendees discussed the four major tasks of natural disaster preparedness: to make necessary preparations and processes before the storms come; to distribute the emergency materials of communication equipment and relief items; if the storm moves to another location, the preparations will benefit us as training; and the national level preparatory measures. The relevant Ministries, region/ state governments now begin the preparatory measures.
• As the measures of preparedness, 47 cyclone-shelters and 118 disaster-resistant buildings have already been built while 17 others are under construction in the most-likely affected area of Ayeyarwady region.
• As the emergency materials for Search and Rescue-SAR, 59 fibre boats, 2,500 life-jackets, and other necessary items such as life-buoys, water-pumps, and pipes have already been distributed.
• As the national level preparedness, there are 143 storm-resistant buildings and other relief items have also been distributed.
• The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will closely monitor the status of the storm so as to respond promptly by opening the Disaster Management Centre.
• The Meteorology and Hydrology Department of Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement is releasing timely statements and minute warnings regarding the status of the storm, the people are urged to solely rely on the news reports of official media outlets and not to believe the rumours and other misinformation.

The Major General also added that he suggested the people to seriously listen to the timely reports and warnings of the Meteorology and Hydrology Department and the Government is making all-out efforts to ensure the people overcome the natural disaster with least damages and losses.

Source: Myawady Daily Newspaper (8-5-2023)

• According to the weather forecast and reports of Meteorology and Hydrology Department of Myanmar, a low-pressure area may form over the Bay of Bengal and it is likely to intensify into a storm, and it may enter Myanmar on 13 and 14 May.
• All of the weather predictions might alter depending on the time of forecast, forecasting models and data applied. Therefore, Meteorology and Hydrology Department of Myanmar will issue weather reports in timely manner.
• In case the storm land falls, the department will release to public in timely manner the statement of the intensifying levels of storm such as its color-coding scheme of yellow, orange, brown and green.
• Under the directive of the Prime Minister of the State, Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win led the National Disaster Management Committee Emergency Meeting.
• As the national level preparedness, there are 143 storm-resistant buildings and other relief items have also been distributed.
• The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement will closely monitor the status of the storm so as to respond promptly by opening the Disaster Management Centre.
• The people are urged to solely rely on the news reports of official media outlets and not to believe the rumours and other misinformation.
• The people to seriously listen to the timely reports and warnings of the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.