Tropical Cyclone Nargis (01B)

Tropical Cyclone Nargis (01B), was a strong tropical cyclone that made landfall in Burma (also known as Myanmar) on May 2, 2008, causing catastrophic destruction The Labutta Township alone was reported to have 80,000 dead and some have estimated the death toll may be well over 100,000, with the highest estimates reaching over 600,000, which would make Nargis the 4^th deadliest natural disaster of all time and the deadliest tropical cyclone of all time

Tropical storm Nargis developed on April 27 in the central Bay of Bengal. Initially it tracked slowly northwestward and, encountering favorable conditions, it quickly strengthened. Dry air weakened the cyclone on April 29, though after beginning a steady eastward motion Nargis rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of at least 165 km/h (105 mph) on May 2; the some tropical storm warning centres estimated peak winds of 215 km/h (135 mph). The cyclone moved ashore in the Ayeyarwady Division of Burma near peak intensity and, after passing near the major city of Yangon (Rangoon), the storm gradually weakened until dissipating near the border of Burma and Thailand.

The cyclone name "Nargis" is an Urdu word-meaning daffodil.

Satellite Image of Tropical Storm Nargis Near Landfall Storm Track Tropical Storm Nargis