Untimely rain suspends salt production in Myanmar cyclone-hit areas

www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-19

YANGON, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Salt production in some Myanmar's cyclone-hit areas has been suspended as salt fields in the areas were destroyed by the rain starting from the last weekend to Monday, the local Biweekly Eleven News reported Thursday.

Quoting local salt producers, the report said salt production work had to be stopped in the areas including Laputta, Haigyigyun and a number of villages in Ayeyawaddy division hit by the untimely rain and the production could only restore if there is no more rain to come.

The temporary suspension of salt production has prompted the soaring of salt prices which were once dropping before the mishap.

Local salt producers are distressed over the climate change although they could once resettle their work after last May storm with the loan assistance provided by the government.

Deadly cyclone Nargis, which occurred over the Bay of Bengal, hit five divisions and states -- Ayeyawaddy, Yangon, Bago, Mon and Kayin on May 2 and 3 last year, of which Ayeyawaddy and Yangon inflicted the heaviest casualties and massive infrastructure damage.

The storm has killed 84,537 people and left 53,836 missing and 19,359 injured, according to official death toll.