YANGON: Rain is compounding misery and presenting new hurdles for relief efforts on Sunday in Myanmar, where state media reported the death toll from a devastating earthquake has risen to nearly 3,500 people. The 7.7-magnitude quake struck on March 28, razing buildings, cutting off power and destroying bridges and roads across the country. Damage has been particularly severe in the city of Sagaing near the epicentre, as well as in Mandalay, Myanmar's second city with more than 1.7 million residents. The earthquake has caused 3,471 confirmed deaths and injured 4,671 people, while 214 remain missing.
Following less intense showers on Sunday morning, the temperature is due to climb to 37 degrees Celsius. "The weather is very extreme," Tun Tun said, with further rain forecast. Aid experts warn that rainy conditions and scorching heat increase the risk of disease outbreaks at outdoor camps where victims were in temporary shelter. United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said that food, water and power repairs were needed urgently. Many people in the area are still without shelter, he said, describing the scale of damage in the area as "epic". — AFP
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