The cyclone that hit Burma on Saturday killed more than 350 people, devastating Rangoon and many rural areas. State media reported that thousands of buildings were destroyed by the storm. 19 people died in Rangoon, while more than 220 people died in the Irrawaddy division, a low-lying area where much of Burmese rice is grown.

Burmese officials and international agencies are still trying to determine the scale of the disaster.

Cyclone Nargis, a Category 3 storm with winds that reached 190km/h (120mph) was compared to Hurricane Katrina. Hundreds of people died, thousands of buildings were destroyed, roads were blocked and flooded, telephone lines were broken by the strong storm.

Authorities are still worried for people that lived on islands and in villages that bore the full force of the cyclone, which was a combination of strong wind and big quantities of water which inundated the delta of the Irrawaddy.

Thousands of people are reported to be homeless; according to reports, more than 70 per cent of homes were destroyed in two towns of the delta.

According to the Times Online, Rangoon airport was closed yesterday and flights were being diverted to Mandalay, in the centre of the country; an official state of emergency was declared in the Irrawaddy, Bago, Mon and Karen divisions.

A referendum on a new constitution was scheduled for 10 May. It will not be postponed, as the government said in a statement, “The referendum is only a few days away and the people are eagerly looking forward to voting.” The referendum is needed, as the Government promised free elections in 2010.

After the disaster, the people of Myanmar needs help; as a response, UN and international aid agencies are meeting today in the Thai capital, Bangkok, to co-ordinate their efforts and finally establish a plan to help the victims of the disaster.