Cyclone Nargis It is the costliest storm in the Indian Ocean cyclone basin. The exact death toll from Nargis will likely never be known, but it was most likely one of the deadliest tropical cyclones in recorded history. Several international organisations have been approved to work within the country (either before or after) or otherwise supporting relief efforts: The Irrawaddy Delta is such a fertile area for rice growing that it was known as the "rice bowl" of the British Empire. Production was high enough that Myanmar could feed its citizens a high amount of rice (by the standards of Asia) with
History of Myanmar said: "Monks have been beaten and killed... Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have been arrested". Some news reports referred to the protests as the Saffron Revolution. On 7 February 2008, SPDC announced that a referendum for the Constitution would be held, and Elections by 2010. The Burmese constitutional referendum, 2008 was held on 10 May and promised a "discipline-flourishing democracy" for the country in the future. On 3 May 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated the country when winds of up to 215 km/h (135 mph) touched land in the densely populated, rice-farming delta of the Irrawaddy Division. It is estimated that more