Soldato
We were all aware of "Mala" progressing towards the Rakhine coast, but we're in Yangon, about 150 miles away from where the cyclone was supposed to hit land.
Last night as I sat in front of the PC writing some emails the telephone rang. It was around 11:30pm (Myanmar time). The manager of a friend of mine sounded desperate as she told me that she needed my help as their factory had been damaged in the storm. My friend is currently back in the UK. I told her I would be there as soon as possible. I quickly chucked some shoes on and drove out there, it's only about 20 mins away from where I live. As I crossed the Hlaing Tharyar Bridge into Hlaing Tharyar where our factories are, I noticed that the electricity was out. In a country where there are frequent power cuts I thought nothing of it. Then I came across a tree that was laying across the road, I realised something was wrong. I knew it was "blowin a good'un" as they would say in Norfolk, but it didn't seem that bad.
When I eventually reached his factory which is approx. 200 metres (yes that close!) away from mine, I was shocked. It was dark and I couldn't see much with the torch I had but I could see real damage. I was there all last night, I came back this morning to pick up my camera to take a couple of snaps.
CNN news report here. The flour mill they refer to is just across the road from this factory, about 30 metres away. The soft drink factory is about 250 metres away.
Here's a few photos, I wish I could lay claim to being a photographer....but I'm not! :-
Last night as I sat in front of the PC writing some emails the telephone rang. It was around 11:30pm (Myanmar time). The manager of a friend of mine sounded desperate as she told me that she needed my help as their factory had been damaged in the storm. My friend is currently back in the UK. I told her I would be there as soon as possible. I quickly chucked some shoes on and drove out there, it's only about 20 mins away from where I live. As I crossed the Hlaing Tharyar Bridge into Hlaing Tharyar where our factories are, I noticed that the electricity was out. In a country where there are frequent power cuts I thought nothing of it. Then I came across a tree that was laying across the road, I realised something was wrong. I knew it was "blowin a good'un" as they would say in Norfolk, but it didn't seem that bad.
When I eventually reached his factory which is approx. 200 metres (yes that close!) away from mine, I was shocked. It was dark and I couldn't see much with the torch I had but I could see real damage. I was there all last night, I came back this morning to pick up my camera to take a couple of snaps.
CNN news report here. The flour mill they refer to is just across the road from this factory, about 30 metres away. The soft drink factory is about 250 metres away.
Here's a few photos, I wish I could lay claim to being a photographer....but I'm not! :-
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