UN: 70,000 people in Myanmar are homeless in wake of cyclone

By the CNN Wire StaffOctober 26, 2010 10:27 p.m. EDT
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
More than 175,000 people feel the impact of Cyclone Giri
At least 27 people are reported dead and 15 missing
Giri slammed into Myanmar Friday with winds of 155 mph
(CNN) -- Some 70,000 people in Myanmar remained homeless Tuesday in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Giri, the United Nations said, citing local authorities.

Giri slammed into the country Friday with wind speeds of up to 155 mph, tearing up roads and knocking out telephone lines.

More than 175,000 people were impacted by Giri and 70,795 people remained homeless, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report.

The group cited severe damage to infrastructure, but reported that major loss of life was avoided because of early warning and evacuation. Communication with affected areas remained difficult, it said.

At least 27 people were killed and 15 are missing, state television has reported.

Giri made landfall Friday in western Myanmar immediately after winds strengthened to 155 mph, making the storm equal to a super typhoon, CNN meteorologists said.

At landfall, it was stronger than Tropical Cyclone Nargis when it made landfall in May 2008, killing more than 100,000 people in southern Myanmar, the meteorologists said.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/10/26/myanmar.cyclone/