<p>Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority. In a statement, the junta said that out of the 145 dead, 24 were locals, four were soldiers and the rest 117 were "Bengalis" — a pejorative term for the Rohingya.</p>

<p>"Altogether 145 local people were killed during the cyclone," said the authorities in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Media reports of higher Rohingya death toll "not true"</strong></h2>

<p>The junta statement also said that media reports of around 400 Rohingya dead were "not true". As per the statement, action would be taken against the outlets that publish the number.</p>

<p>Since it ousted the elected government more than two years ago, the junta, as per AFP, has arrested scores of journalists and has closed outlets deemed critical of its rule.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-east-asia/in-myanmars-rakhine-locals-say-hundreds-have-died-due-to-cyclone-mocha-official-figures-claim-only-3-dead-593071">In Myanmar's Rakhine, locals say hundreds have died due to Cyclone Mocha; official figures claim only 3 dead</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>United Nations on Cyclone Mocha's damage to Myanmar</strong></h2>

<p>On Friday, the United Nations in a statement said that at least 800,000 people in Myanmar have been affected by Cyclone Mocha.</p>

<p>It said that the affected people need emergency food aid and other assistance.</p>

<p>According to Anthea Webb, the UN World Food Programme's deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, the cyclone caused extensive damage in Myanmar's Rakhine State, with massive destruction to homes, roads, hospitals, schools, and telecommunications and power lines.</p>

<p>"There are at least 800,000 people in urgent need of emergency food assistance," said Webb,&nbsp;adding that "greater needs for food, shelter, water, health and other humanitarian aid are expected to be revealed as we reach more areas."</p>

<h2><strong>International aid</strong></h2>

<p>AFP reports that a few international aid groups, including the United Nations World Food Programme, have been working on the ground in Sittwe.</p>

<p>However, a junta spokesperson remained silent about whether UN agencies would be granted access to displacement camps outside Sittwe that house Rohingya.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/cylcone-mocha-indian-navy-rushes-to-help-battered-myanmar-593724">Cyclone Mocha: Indian Navy ships rush relief material to battered Myanmar, many feared dead</a></strong></p>

<p>Myanmar state media on Tuesday reported that "offers from the international community for providing aid have been accepted."</p>

<p>"But relief and rehabilitation tasks must be done through existing united strength," added the Global New Light of Myanmar.</p>

<h2>Cyclone Mocha and the damage it did to Myanmar</h2>

<p>On Sunday, the cyclone brought lashing rain and winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour) to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The high-speed winds collapsed buildings, turned streets into rivers, uprooted trees and also knocked out communications across much of Myanmar's Rakhine state, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who following decades of ethnic conflict, have been living there in displacement camps.</p>

<h2>The Rohingyas</h2>

<p>In Myanmar, Rohingyas are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh. As per AFP, they are denied citizenship and access to health care in the country. To travel outside of the townships, they require permission.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority.

Myanmar's military junta on Friday said the death toll from Cyclone Mocha has reached 145. Most of the dead, as per the news agency AFP, belong to the persecuted Rohingya minority. In a statement, the junta said that out of the 145 dead, 24 were locals, four were soldiers and the rest 117 were "Bengalis" — a pejorative term for the Rohingya. "Altogether 145 local people were killed during the cyclone," said the authorities in a statement. Media reports of higher Rohingya death toll "not true" The junta statement also said that media reports of around 400 Rohingya dead were "not true". As per the statement, action would be taken against the outlets that publish the number. Since it ousted the elected government more than two years ago, the junta, as per AFP, has arrested scores of journalists and has closed outlets deemed critical of its rule. Also read | In Myanmar's Rakhine, locals say hundreds have died due to Cyclone Mocha; official figures claim only 3 dead United Nations on Cyclone Mocha's damage to Myanmar On Friday, the United Nations in a statement said that at least 800,000 people in Myanmar have been affected by Cyclone Mocha. It said that the affected people need emergency food aid and other assistance. According to Anthea Webb, the UN World Food Programme's deputy regional director for Asia and the Pacific, the cyclone caused extensive damage in Myanmar's Rakhine State, with massive destruction to homes, roads, hospitals, schools, and telecommunications and power lines. "There are at least 800,000 people in urgent need of emergency food assistance," said Webb, adding that "greater needs for food, shelter, water, health and other humanitarian aid are expected to be revealed as we reach more areas." International aid AFP reports that a few international aid groups, including the United Nations World Food Programme, have been working on the ground in Sittwe. However, a junta spokesperson remained silent about whether UN agencies would be granted access to displacement camps outside Sittwe that house Rohingya. Also read | Cyclone Mocha: Indian Navy ships rush relief material to battered Myanmar, many feared dead Myanmar state media on Tuesday reported that "offers from the international community for providing aid have been accepted." "But relief and rehabilitation tasks must be done through existing united strength," added the Global New Light of Myanmar. Cyclone Mocha and the damage it did to Myanmar On Sunday, the cyclone brought lashing rain and winds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour) to Myanmar and neighbouring Bangladesh. The high-speed winds collapsed buildings, turned streets into rivers, uprooted trees and also knocked out communications across much of Myanmar's Rakhine state, which is home to hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees who following decades of ethnic conflict, have been living there in displacement camps. The Rohingyas In Myanmar, Rohingyas are widely viewed as interlopers from Bangladesh. As per AFP, they are denied citizenship and access to health care in the country. To travel outside of the townships, they require permission. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Cyclone Mocha: Myanmar Junta says reports of 400 Rohingya dead 'not true,' claims toll at 145

<p>In Rakhine, Myanmar, hundreds of people are feared dead as Cyclone Mocha hit the nation. On Tuesday, residents and aid groups reported that numerous individuals, including Rohingya Muslims, are believed to have perished after the cyclone struck Myanmar over the weekend.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per Reuters cyclone Mocha&nbsp;inflicted severe damage on Myanmar's impoverished Rakhine State, with powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 210 kph (130 mph) tearing off roofs and a storm surge that flooded the state capital, Sittwe.</p>

<p>Residents in Rakhine State have reported that at least 100 people have lost their lives, and many more are missing and presumed dead. As per them, unfortunately, aid is yet to reach the affected areas. Additionally, Bangladesh has been facing severe power shortages — its worst power cuts in over seven months — which has exacerbated the challenges in responding to the crisis.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-mocha-at-least-six-killed-hundreds-injured-after-powerful-storm-batters-myanmar-592635">Cyclone Mocha: At least six killed, hundreds injured after powerful storm batters Myanmar</a></strong></p>

<p>The affected region, as per Reuters, is densely populated by Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority that successive governments in Myanmar have "refused to recognise".&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, speaking to Reuters, a resident who chose to remain anonymous, said that more than 100 Rohingya Muslims have been killed. He reportedly based this number on his personal&nbsp;assessment&nbsp;of multiple villages he visited after the cyclone.&nbsp;</p>

<p>News portal Myanmar Now also suggested that hundreds were feared dead. Aid groups have also acknowledged the occurrence of a "significant number of deaths".&nbsp;</p>

<p>In contrast to these numbers, Myanmar's state media reported that only three people had been killed.</p>

<p>The reported death toll has not been verified, and there is still uncertainty surrounding the exact number of casualties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A spokesperson for the pro-democracy shadow National Unity Government told Reuters that they had received confirmation of approximately 400 Rohingya deaths, primarily in the Sittwe area.</p>

<p>"We received confirmation of about 400 Rohingya deaths, mainly around Sittwe area".</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-cyclone-mocha-causes-devastation-in-myanmar-bangladesh-592475">In Pics | Cyclone Mocha causes devastation in Myanmar, Bangladesh</a></strong></p>

<p>Ramanathan Balakrishnan, of the UN's Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that "It's really a nightmare scenario for the cyclone to hit areas with such deep pre-existing needs." He estimates that approximately 5.4 million people were in the path of the cyclone, a majority of whom were considered vulnerable. Early priorities as r Balakrishnan include shelter, water, sanitation, and relief supplies.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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In Rakhine, Myanmar, hundreds of people are feared dead as Cyclone Mocha hit the nation. On Tuesday, residents and aid groups reported that numerous individuals, including Rohingya Muslims, are believed to have perished after the cyclone struck Myanmar over the weekend.

In Rakhine, Myanmar, hundreds of people are feared dead as Cyclone Mocha hit the nation. On Tuesday, residents and aid groups reported that numerous individuals, including Rohingya Muslims, are believed to have perished after the cyclone struck Myanmar over the weekend. As per Reuters cyclone Mocha inflicted severe damage on Myanmar's impoverished Rakhine State, with powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 210 kph (130 mph) tearing off roofs and a storm surge that flooded the state capital, Sittwe. Residents in Rakhine State have reported that at least 100 people have lost their lives, and many more are missing and presumed dead. As per them, unfortunately, aid is yet to reach the affected areas. Additionally, Bangladesh has been facing severe power shortages — its worst power cuts in over seven months — which has exacerbated the challenges in responding to the crisis. Also read | Cyclone Mocha: At least six killed, hundreds injured after powerful storm batters Myanmar The affected region, as per Reuters, is densely populated by Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority that successive governments in Myanmar have "refused to recognise". However, speaking to Reuters, a resident who chose to remain anonymous, said that more than 100 Rohingya Muslims have been killed. He reportedly based this number on his personal assessment of multiple villages he visited after the cyclone. News portal Myanmar Now also suggested that hundreds were feared dead. Aid groups have also acknowledged the occurrence of a "significant number of deaths". In contrast to these numbers, Myanmar's state media reported that only three people had been killed. The reported death toll has not been verified, and there is still uncertainty surrounding the exact number of casualties. A spokesperson for the pro-democracy shadow National Unity Government told Reuters that they had received confirmation of approximately 400 Rohingya deaths, primarily in the Sittwe area. "We received confirmation of about 400 Rohingya deaths, mainly around Sittwe area". Also read | In Pics | Cyclone Mocha causes devastation in Myanmar, Bangladesh Ramanathan Balakrishnan, of the UN's Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that "It's really a nightmare scenario for the cyclone to hit areas with such deep pre-existing needs." He estimates that approximately 5.4 million people were in the path of the cyclone, a majority of whom were considered vulnerable. Early priorities as r Balakrishnan include shelter, water, sanitation, and relief supplies. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

In Myanmar's Rakhine, locals say hundreds have died due to Cyclone Mocha; official figures claim only 3 dead

<p>Indian Navy, a regional power in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean has rushed humanitarian aid to Myanmar, parts of which have seen devastation due to Cyclone Mocha. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter on Thursday (May 18) to highlight the fact that India 'continues to be first responder in the region'.</p>

<p>"India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha. #OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow. The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc.," tweeted Jaishankar.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CycloneMocha?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CycloneMocha</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationKaruna?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationKaruna</a> underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow.<br />
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The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents,… <a href="https://t.co/Ot8Ohm2jpn">pic.twitter.com/Ot8Ohm2jpn</a></p>
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1659151716107919360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2><strong>Hundreds feared dead</strong></h2>

<p>It is feared that devastation caused by Cyclone Mocha has left hundreds dead. The cyclone struck Myanmar over the weekend. Rescue efforts have been hampered due to damaged infrastructure. Rakhine state, the impoverished part of the country, bore the brunt of Cyclone Mocha. When it hit, the cyclone caused winds of up to 210 kmph (130 mph). These ripped roofs off homes and caused storm surge that caused flooding in Sittwe, capital of the state.</p>

<p><strong>Watch | United Nations: Cyclone Mocha caused extensive damage in Myanmar</strong></p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rakhine region has a large population of Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority several successive Myanmar governments have refused to recognise.</p>

<h2>Political chaos in the country</h2>

<p>Myanmar has been gripped by political and economic chaos since the military seized power in a coup in 2021. Since then, fighting has raged across the country between the military and pro-democracy or allied ethnic armed groups.</p>

<p>Residents of Rakhine State said at least 100 people had been killed and many more were missing and feared dead after the cyclone, adding that aid is yet to arrive. Bangladesh faced its worst power cuts in over seven months.</p>

<p>Reuters said it was not able to independently verify the death toll. It quoted news portal <em>Myanmar Now</em> which reported that hundreds were dead while aid groups said there were "significant number of deaths".</p>

<p>Myanmar's state media said three people were killed.</p>

<p>The storm was one of the worst since Cyclone Nargis swept across parts of southern Myanmar killing nearly 140,000 people in 2008.</p>

<h2><strong>Millions affected by storm</strong></h2>

<p>Reuters quoted a United Nations official who said that 5.4 million people were expected to have been in the storm's path.</p>

<p>"It's really a nightmare scenario for the cyclone to hit areas with such deep pre-existing needs," said Ramanathan Balakrishnan at the UN's Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Shelter, water, sanitation, and relief items were early priorities, he said.</p>

<p>Storm damage to communications and road infrastructure and ongoing restrictions by Myanmar's military government was making it difficult to get information from and deliver aid to the affected area, non-governmental organisations said.</p>

<p>"It's difficult to obtain accurate or up to date information, which also makes responding to the crisis adequately even more difficult," said Manny Maung of Human Rights Watch.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Indian Navy, a regional power in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean has rushed humanitarian aid to Myanmar, parts of which have seen devastation due to Cyclone Mocha.

Indian Navy, a regional power in the Bay of Bengal and northern Indian Ocean has rushed humanitarian aid to Myanmar, parts of which have seen devastation due to Cyclone Mocha. India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar took to Twitter on Thursday (May 18) to highlight the fact that India 'continues to be first responder in the region'. "India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha. #OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow. The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc.," tweeted Jaishankar. India extends a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by #CycloneMocha. #OperationKaruna underway. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon today. A fourth ship will be reaching tomorrow. The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents,… pic.twitter.com/Ot8Ohm2jpn — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 18, 2023 × Hundreds feared dead It is feared that devastation caused by Cyclone Mocha has left hundreds dead. The cyclone struck Myanmar over the weekend. Rescue efforts have been hampered due to damaged infrastructure. Rakhine state, the impoverished part of the country, bore the brunt of Cyclone Mocha. When it hit, the cyclone caused winds of up to 210 kmph (130 mph). These ripped roofs off homes and caused storm surge that caused flooding in Sittwe, capital of the state. Watch | United Nations: Cyclone Mocha caused extensive damage in Myanmar × Rakhine region has a large population of Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted minority several successive Myanmar governments have refused to recognise. Political chaos in the country Myanmar has been gripped by political and economic chaos since the military seized power in a coup in 2021. Since then, fighting has raged across the country between the military and pro-democracy or allied ethnic armed groups. Residents of Rakhine State said at least 100 people had been killed and many more were missing and feared dead after the cyclone, adding that aid is yet to arrive. Bangladesh faced its worst power cuts in over seven months. Reuters said it was not able to independently verify the death toll. It quoted news portal Myanmar Now which reported that hundreds were dead while aid groups said there were "significant number of deaths". Myanmar's state media said three people were killed. The storm was one of the worst since Cyclone Nargis swept across parts of southern Myanmar killing nearly 140,000 people in 2008. Millions affected by storm Reuters quoted a United Nations official who said that 5.4 million people were expected to have been in the storm's path. "It's really a nightmare scenario for the cyclone to hit areas with such deep pre-existing needs," said Ramanathan Balakrishnan at the UN's Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Shelter, water, sanitation, and relief items were early priorities, he said. Storm damage to communications and road infrastructure and ongoing restrictions by Myanmar's military government was making it difficult to get information from and deliver aid to the affected area, non-governmental organisations said. "It's difficult to obtain accurate or up to date information, which also makes responding to the crisis adequately even more difficult," said Manny Maung of Human Rights Watch. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Cyclone Mocha: Indian Navy ships rush relief material to battered Myanmar, many feared dead

Packing winds of over 200 kilometers per hour, cyclone Mocha slammed into Myanmar's western coast on Sunday, resulting in at least six deaths. Rohit Wellington Rajan brings you the report.

At least 6 dead as super cyclone Mocha strikes Myanmar