Hazard Profile of Myanmar - Asian Disaster Preparedness Center

The average annual financial loss reflects increasing trend at Figure 14.
Figure: 14 Average Annual Financial Losses due to Fire
The high incidences of fire in Myanmar are due to climatic conditions including temperature,
use of flammable construction materials, unplanned development and other social factors.
The hot season is from mid–February to mid-May. Unlike those countries that lie within the
Equatorial Climatic Zone, Myanmar does not receive rainfall all the year round. It has
instead a wet period that lasts for about five months and a dry spell for the remaining seven
months. Also, the mean temperature ranges from 32° C in the Coastal and Deltaic areas and
maximum temperatures reach up to 40° C in the central Dry Zone during the peak hot
season 20 .In rural areas, people prefer to live in bamboo houses with thatched roof made of
bamboo shaves and Nipa palm leaves (Dha-Ni), which are highly inflammable. As these
materials are locally and readily available, do not require sophisticated technology, and are
not expensive, and above all suit the local weather condition, hence much preferred. The
uncovered cinders left after cooking with wood and charcoal, candles left lit even after use,
exposure of naked flames and unattended mosquito coils to diesel, petrol and engine oils
also led to fire cases.
20 IFFN No. 20 - March 1999
Hazard profile of Myanmar
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