RANGOON — Strong winds in Burma’s former capital led to a suspension of all flights to and from Rangoon International Airport on Thursday, according to reports in local media.
Winds between 35 and 38 miles per hour were recorded by Burma’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, lasting for about one hour starting at 5:55 pm.
Burmese-language 7-Day Daily, citing an official from the Department of Civil Aviation, reported that the winds caused one Thai Airways flight to be rerouted to Bangkok, while five other flights also had to about-face and return to their departing airports.
The sudden gale and subsequent downpour uprooted trees in several parts of the city and widespread power blackouts shortly followed, but no injuries have been reported.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a warning that whirlwinds originating in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea may cause strong wind and thunderstorms all over the country, continuing through the month of April as the monsoon season nears.
Similar gusts and early rainstorms were reported this week in central Burma’s Sagaing and Monywa, leaving some houses damaged.
State media reported that two people died during a 30-minute storm in Tamu, Sagaing Division, on Wednesday.
