UN: Myanmar Cyclone Death Toll Could Hit 60,000

Irrawaddy, Myanmar (AHN) - U.N. officials warned Wednesday the death toll from Myanmar's cyclone may reach 60,000 if aid workers cannot enter the nation. Weather experts said the cyclone became a 'disastrous mix' of a powerful storm and geography.

Although 1 million people may be homeless after the May 3 natural disaster, the UN's World Food Program said "much more cooperation" is needed from the military government, reported Bloomberg News.

The cyclone, which created a 12-foot wall of water, was unusual in the path it took and the wind's ferocity. Most cyclones from the Bay of Bengal move toward India or Bangladesh, usually avoiding the country formerly known as Burma, said Accuweather.com meteorologist Jim Andrews.

The Nargis cyclone was a category 3 storm packing 105-knot winds for more than 12 hours.

Andrews said the heavily-hit Irrawaddy Delta is similar to Louisinanna's Mississippi Delta and often floods when southern winds push water over tidal inlets.