The deep depression was moving to Ayeyawady Region, and over 4,000 people had been evacuated, said a government official.
The stage of the deep depression was coded brown stage, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) announced.
According to the observations at (11:30) hrs M.S.T on March 22, the deep depression over North Andaman Sea and adjoining East central Bay of Bengal had moved Northwards and was crossing to Ayeyawady Region near Hainggyikyun.
If it made landfall on a certain region of Myanmar, the stage would be coded brown and the highest, the DMH reported.
“Currently, it is a deep depression and will not intensify into a cyclone. During the deep depression crossing Ayeyawady Region near Hainggyikyun, maximum wind speed may reach (45-50) mph in Ayeyawady Region. Tree branches will break, the roots of some old trees can fall and roofs of some homes may be thrown off. We cannot say this wind speed is strong or weak. Due to the depression, there will be waves and tides,” said U Hla Tun, deputy director of the DMH.
When the deep depression was crossing, storm surge height would be (8)ft to (12)ft in Estuary and Tributaries at Pathein District, Labutta District, Myaungmya District, Maubin District, Phyapon District, Ayeyawady Region, according to the DMH.
Due to the deep depression, rain or thundershowers would be fairly widespread to widespread in Nay Pyi Taw, Lower Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyawady, Taninthayi Regions and Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayah, Kayin, Mon States with regionally and isolated heavy falls in some Regions and States from the afternoon of March 22 to March 23.
When contacted, local people said that there were some waves and tides but no significant damage was reported. Meanwhile, fishing boats were being evacuated.
“The tide is higher than before. The sky is dark and wind has been blowing since 10pm last night. All fishing boats are coming back from sea. All boats and marine workers are hiding in the creeks. They are a little concerned because they have experienced the cyclone Nargis. We breathed a sigh of relief after news reported that the wind speed was 45 to 50,” said Ko Myo Khaing from Thagyarhinoh Village.
U Thein Win Htut, assistant director of Ayeyawady Region Disaster Management Department, said over 4,000 locals in the delta area had been evacuated to safer places such as cyclone shelters and monasteries.
According to Labutta Kind Heart Social Organization, some bridges in Labutta Township have flooded due to the tides.
“Some downtown areas have been flooded. We don’t know about any damage in the villages. We are still gathering enquires”, said an official from the organization.
