View source for Cyclone Mala

{{Short description|North Indian Ocean cyclone in 2006}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox weather event
 | name              = Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mala
 | image             = Cyclone Mala 28 apr 2006 0405Z.jpg
 | caption           = Cyclone Mala on April 28, near peak intensity
 | formed            = April 25, 2006
 | dissipated        = April 29, 2006
}}{{Infobox weather event/IMD
| winds = 100
| pressure = 954
}}{{Infobox weather event/JTWC
| winds = 120
| pressure = 922
}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2006
| fatalities = 37
| damage = 6700000
| areas = [[Andaman Islands]], [[Myanmar]], [[Northern Thailand]]
| refs = 
}}{{Infobox weather event/Footer
| season = [[2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
}}
'''Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mala''' ({{IPAc-en|'|m|ə|l|ɑː}}) was the strongest [[tropical cyclone]] of the [[2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]].<ref name="IMDrpt"/> In mid-April 2006, an area of disturbed weather formed over the southern [[Bay of Bengal]] and nearby [[Andaman Sea]]. Over a period of several days, the system became increasingly organized and was classified as a depression on April&nbsp;24. Situated within a region of weak steering currents, the storm slowly intensified as it drifted in a general northward direction. It attained gale-force winds and was [[Tropical cyclone naming|named]] ''Mala'' the next day. Conditions for strengthening improved markedly on April&nbsp;27 and Mala subsequently underwent [[rapid intensification]] which culminated in the cyclone attaining its peak. Early on April&nbsp;28, the cyclone had estimated winds of {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}. The [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] considered Mala to have been slightly stronger, classifying it as a [[Category 4 hurricane|Category&nbsp;4-equivalent cyclone]]. Steady weakening ensued thereafter and the storm made [[landfall]] in [[Myanmar]]'s [[Rakhine State]] on April&nbsp;29. Rapid dissipation took place once onshore and Mala was last noted early the next morning.

In contrast to Mala's intensity, damage was relatively minimal across Myanmar due to adequate early warnings, while timely and effective evacuations minimized loss of life along the coast. The greatest damage resulted from a thunderstorm near [[Yangon]] on April&nbsp;28 that spawned a possible [[tornado]] in an industrial zone. A total of 586&nbsp;homes were damaged there. Just outside the city in the [[Hinthada District]], a [[flash flood]] killed at least 18&nbsp;people. Overall, the storm claimed 37&nbsp;lives in the country and left US$6.7&nbsp;million in damage. In the wake of Mala, the [[Red Cross]] distributed relief aid to affected residents while local officials set up shelters to house those left homeless. Government and social organizations donated 5.4&nbsp;million [[Burmese kyat|kyat]] (US$4,320) in cash to survivors in the [[Ayeyarwady Region]].

==Meteorological history==
{{storm path|Mala 2006 track.png}}
In mid to late April 2006, a pulse in the [[Madden–Julian oscillation]], coupled with a [[Kelvin wave]] (which later contributed to the formation of [[Typhoon Chanchu]] in the [[2006 Pacific typhoon season|western Pacific]]), enhanced [[Atmospheric convection|convective activity]] over the [[Bay of Bengal]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Wallace Hogsett |author2=Da-Lin Zhang |journal=Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences|date=December 2010|title=Genesis of Typhoon Chanchu (2006) from a Westerly Wind Burst Associated with the MJO. Part I: Evolution of a Vertically Tilted Precursor Vortex|volume=67|issue=12|pages=3774–3792|doi=10.1175/2010jas3446.1|bibcode = 2010JAtS...67.3774H |doi-access=free}}</ref> By April&nbsp;22, a [[Trough (meteorology)|trough]] developed along an axis from the southern Bay of Bengal eastward to the [[Andaman Sea]].<ref name="IMDrpt">{{cite journal|author1=A. B. Mazumdar|author2=R. R. Lele|author3=S. Sunitha Devi|publisher=India Meteorological Department|journal=मौसम Mausam|date=July 2007|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Cyclones and depressions over the north Indian Ocean during 2006|url=http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/Mausamcw/2006.pdf|volume=58|issue=3|pages=305–322|doi=10.54302/mausam.v58i3.1325 |s2cid=244699456 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033845/http://www.imdchennai.gov.in/Mausamcw/2006.pdf|archive-date=September 24, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Joint Typhoon Warning Center]] (JTWC) began monitoring the system for potential [[tropical cyclogenesis]] the following day.<ref name="JTWCATCR">{{citation |mode=cs1 |first1=J. F. |last1=O'Hara |first2=Robert |last2=Falvey |editor-first=Aaron |editor-last=Lana |location=Pearl Harbor |publisher=U.S. Naval Maritime Forecast Center / Joint Typhoon Warning Center |year=2007 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |title=2006 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report |chapter=Tropical Cyclone (TC) 02B (Mala) |page=44 |chapter-url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/2006atcr.pdf |archive-date=February 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130221071515/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/atcr/2006atcr.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> By 0600&nbsp;[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] on April&nbsp;24, an [[Low-pressure area|area of low pressure]] formed southeast of the [[Andaman Islands]] and the [[India Meteorological Department]] (IMD) began monitoring the disturbance.<ref>{{cite web|work=India Meteorological Department|publisher=Unisys|date=April 24, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Weather Outlook|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042406}}</ref> Quickly organizing, the low developed into a tropical depression later on April&nbsp;24 and the JTWC began writing full advisories on the cyclone without issuing a [[Tropical Cyclone Formation Alert]].<ref name="JTWCATCR"/><ref name="JTWCBT">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=United States Navy|year=2007|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone 02B (Mala) Best Track|url=http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2006/2006s-bio/bio022006.txt|format=.TXT|archive-date=October 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009233103/http://www.usno.navy.mil/NOOC/nmfc-ph/RSS/jtwc/best_tracks/2006/2006s-bio/bio022006.txt|url-status=dead}}</ref> Organization slowed thereafter due to moderate [[wind shear]],<ref name="18zApril25"/> but continued at a near-climatological rate as upper-level [[Outflow (meteorology)|outflow]] allowed for continued convective development.<ref name="06zApril25">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center; India Meteorological Department|publisher=Unisys|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories for April 25, 2006 at 0600 UTC|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042506}}</ref> Early on April&nbsp;25, the JTWC estimated the system to have attained gale-force winds.<ref name="JTWCBT"/> The IMD followed suit later that day and subsequently [[Tropical cyclone naming|assigned it the name]] ''Mala''.<ref name="IBTRACS">{{cite report|author=Kenneth R. Knapp|author2=Michael C. Kruk|author3=David H. Levinson|author4=Howard J. Diamond|author5=Charles J. Neumann|year=2010|work=The International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS): Unifying tropical cyclone best track data|title=2006 Mala (2006114N08090)|publisher=Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society|access-date=May 7, 2014|url=http://atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_v03r04/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r04-2006114N08090|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305022211/http://atms.unca.edu/ibtracs/ibtracs_v03r04/browse-ibtracs/index.php?name=v03r04-2006114N08090|archive-date=March 5, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|The name ''Mala'' is [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]] as well as Hindi for ''a garland of flowers''.<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite web|agency=Associated Press|work=[[USA Today]]|date=April 29, 2006|access-date=May 8, 2014|title=Bangladesh coast under cyclone warning|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2006-04-29-bangladesh-cyclone_x.htm|location=Dhaka, Bangladesh|archive-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010105359/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/storms/2006-04-29-bangladesh-cyclone_x.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="nb"|name="Mala"}} Weak steering currents prompted slow and erratic movement with an overall northward trajectory.<ref name="JTWCATCR"/><ref name="18zApril25">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Unisys|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories for April 25, 2006 at 1800 UTC|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042518}}</ref>

[[File:Cyclone Mala 26 apr 2006 0435Z.jpg|thumb|right|Cyclone Mala on April&nbsp;26 struggling to develop under strong wind shear]]
Forecasters at this time anticipated little intensification as the system was expected to move into a region of higher shear.<ref name="06zApril26">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Unisys|date=April 26, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories for April 26, 2006 at 0600 UTC|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042606}}</ref> However, on April&nbsp;27, the system moved under a [[subtropical ridge]] and conditions quickly became favorable for intensification. The presence of the ridge greatly enhanced the outflow over the cyclone and an [[Eye (cyclone)|eye]] developed by 1200&nbsp;UTC.<ref name="IMDrpt"/><ref name="06zApril27">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Unisys|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories for April 27, 2006 at 0600 UTC|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042706}}</ref> By this time, both the JTWC and IMD estimated Mala to have attained hurricane-force winds with the latter classifying it as a ''very severe cyclonic storm''.<ref name="IMDrpt"/><ref name="JTWCBT"/> The previously weak steering currents became more established as well, with the storm now tracking northeast toward [[Myanmar]] through a weakness in a [[ridge (meteorology)|ridge]] over Southeast Asia.<ref name="06zApril27"/> Situated in an area with [[sea surface temperature]]s of {{convert|28|to|29|C|F|abbr=on}}, the cyclone was able to undergo [[rapid intensification]] as wind shear abruptly diminished.<ref name="IMDrpt"/> The IMD estimated Mala to have reached its peak intensity at 0900&nbsp;UTC on April&nbsp;28 with winds of {{convert|185|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a [[barometric pressure]] of 954 [[mbar]] (hPa; {{convert|954|mbar|inHg|lk=on|abbr=on|sigfig=4|disp=out}}).<ref>{{citation |mode=cs1 |publisher=World Meteorological Organization |date=November 15, 2007 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |title=WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones 34th Session |chapter=Some characteristic features of cyclonic disturbances formed over the Indian Ocean and adjoining region during 2006 |page=33 |chapter-url=http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/tcp/documents/PTC34_final_report_Updated-20071105.pdf}}</ref> Using the [[Dvorak technique]], a method of determining a tropical cyclone's strength via satellite imagery, the agency gave Mala a rating of T#5.5 which yields an intensity of {{convert|189|km/h|mph|abbr=on}}.<ref name="IMDrpt"/>

The JTWC estimated Mala to have been a stronger system, with peak winds of {{convert|220|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}} and a pressure of {{convert|922|mbar|hPa inHg|abbr=on}}&nbsp;— equivalent to a [[Category&nbsp;4 hurricane]] on the [[Saffir–Simpson hurricane wind scale]].<ref name="JTWCBT"/> Their Dvorak values peaked at T#6.5 or {{convert|235|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gary Padgett|publisher=Australia Severe Weather|date=May 5, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Global Tropical Cyclone Tracks – April 2006|url=http://www.australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/2006/trak0604.htm}}</ref> As the powerful storm approached Myanmar, the combined effects of increasing wind shear and land interaction soon took their toll on Mala.<ref name="18zApril28">{{cite web|work=Joint Typhoon Warning Center|publisher=Unisys|date=April 25, 2006|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Tropical Cyclone Advisories for April 28, 2006 at 1800 UTC|url=http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/archive/0604/06042818}}</ref> At 0700&nbsp;UTC on April&nbsp;29, Mala made [[landfall]] just south of [[Thandwe]] in Myanmar's [[Rakhine State]] as a very severe cyclonic storm.<ref name="IMDrpt"/> The JTWC estimated winds at this time to have been {{convert|165|km/h|mph|abbr=on|round=5}}.<ref name="JTWCBT"/> Rapid weakening ensued once the cyclone moved onshore. Within 12&nbsp;hours of landfall, Mala weakened to a deep depression and was last noted as a dissipating system earl on April&nbsp;30.<ref name="IMDrpt"/>

Sea surface temperatures in the wake of Cyclone Mala decreased up to {{convert|4|–|5|C|F}} due to [[upwelling]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=K.V.S. Badarinath |author2=Shailesh Kumar Kharol |author3=P.K. Dileep |author4=V.K. Prasad |journal=IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters|volume=6|issue=3|date=June 2009|title=Satellite Observations on Cyclone-Induced Upper Ocean Cooling and Modulation of Surface Winds—A Study on Tropical Ocean Region|pages=481–485|issn=1545-598X|doi=10.1109/LGRS.2009.2018487|bibcode = 2009IGRSL...6..481B |s2cid=29216997 }}</ref> From April&nbsp;28–29, the low-level inflow associated affected much of the northern Bay of Bengal and resulted in northwesterly winds as far away as [[Hyderabad district, India|Hyderabad, India]]. These winds brought dry, dust filled air over the bay with mean particulate-matter doubling over the region.<ref>{{cite journal|author1=Shailesh Kumar Kharol |author2=K. V. S. Badarinath |author3=Anu Rani Sharma |author4=V. Krishna Prasad |author5=Dimitrios G. Kaskaoutis |author6=Panagiotis T. Nastos |author7=Harry D. Kambezidis |journal=Geophysical Research Abstracts|publisher=NASA Astrophysics Data System|date=May 7, 2010|access-date=May 7, 2014|title= Impact of tropical cyclones on aerosol properties over urban region of Hyderabad, India|volume=12|page=12891 |bibcode=2010EGUGA..1212891K |url=http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2010/EGU2010-12891.pdf}}</ref>

==Preparations==
On April&nbsp;26, the local Department of Meteorology and Hydrology in Myanmar stated that the [[Ayeyarwady Region|Ayeyarwady]], [[Bago Region]], and [[Yangon Region|Yangon]] regions were likely to be affected within two days and [[Rakhine State]] within three days.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New Light of Myanmar|date=April 26, 2006|title=Special Storm Warning|location=Yangon, Myanmar}}</ref> Officials began broadcasting storm warning to the public over radio the following day.<ref name="AFP1">{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=April 29, 2006 |title=Cyclone Mala reaches western Myanmar |location=Yangon, Myanmar  |via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref> Evacuations of at-risk coastal areas were conducted, though specifics are unknown.<ref name="IFRC1"/> Once the storm moved inland, residents across the country were advised of the likelihood of widespread heavy rain from the remnant system.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New Light of Myanmar|date=April 29, 2006|title=Storm Warning|location=Yangon, Myanmar}}</ref>

Despite never being forecast to strike [[Bangladesh]], officials there warned residents that the storm could strike the nation and cause loss of life. Cautionary signals were raised at ports in [[Chittagong]], [[Cox's Bazar]], and [[Port of Mongla|Mongla]], advising seafaring vessels to remain docked until the storm's passage.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Daily Star|publisher=British Broadcasting Company|date=May 1, 2006|title=Cyclone spares Bangladesh, hits Burmese coast|location=Dhaka, Bangladesh}}</ref> Roughly 34,000&nbsp;members of the [[Bangladesh Red Crescent Society]] were placed on standby for possible relief efforts.<ref name="usatoday"/>

Flash flood warnings were issued across northern [[Thailand]] on April&nbsp;29 under the threat of heavy rains from Mala's remnants.<ref name="AFP1"/>

==Impact==
[[File:Cyclone Mala on April 29, 2006 at 0633 UTC.jpg|thumb|300px|Cyclone Mala making landfall in Rakhine State on April&nbsp;29]]
Throughout almost the entire existence of Mala, it produced rainfall in the Andaman and [[Nicobar Islands|Nicobar]] islands. Daily totals peaked on April&nbsp;27 at {{convert|100|mm|in|abbr=on}} in [[Car Nicobar]].<ref name="IMDrpt"/>

After moving through Myanmar, Mala brought heavy rains to northern Thailand. According to local meteorologists the storm also accelerated the onset of the seasonal [[monsoon]] which would contribute to a wetter-than-average year for the region.<ref>{{cite news|author=Chiang Mai|newspaper=The Nation|date=May 3, 2006|title=Early rains in North 'a sign of La Niña and wet year'}} {{subscription required|via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref>

===Myanmar===
Though Mala struck Myanmar as a powerful cyclone, early warnings and proper evacuations minimized loss of life along coastal areas. Additionally, no major [[storm surge]] was reported, limiting the potential for major damage. The most significant effects were caused inland from torrential rains rather than at the coast.<ref name="IFRC1">{{cite report|work=International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=May 6, 2014|title=Myanmar: Cyclone Mala Final Report for DREF Bulletin no. MDRMM01|url=http://www.ifrc.org/docs/appeals/07/mdrmm001fr.pdf}}</ref> Overall, the storm claimed 37&nbsp;lives and left 1.24&nbsp;billion [[Burmese kyat|kyat]] (US$6.7&nbsp;million) in damage.<ref>{{cite web|work=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=December 31, 2006|access-date=May 8, 2014|title=Myanmar: 2006 Progress Report|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/0BFF6CD6AF0A0FE2492572EA0005E7C8-Full_Report.pdf}}</ref><ref name="MIMU">{{citation |mode=cs1 |author=Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the Ministry of Education |publisher=Myanmar Information Management Unit |year=2008 |access-date=May 7, 2014 |title=Guidance on Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector, Myanmar – Rural Settings |chapter=Natural Disasters in Myanmar |page=16 |chapter-url=http://www.themimu.info/sites/themimu.info/files/documents/guidelines_on_mainstreaming_drr_in_education_sector_myanmar-rural_settings.pdf }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author1=Tint Zaw |author2=Mu Mu Than |work=Union of Myanmar Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation|publisher=Water Environment Partnership in Asia|date=March 2010|access-date=May 7, 2014|title=Climate Change Impacts to the Water Environment and Adaptation Options|url=http://www.wepa-db.net/pdf/1003forum/26_cc_myanmar_tintzaw_finalize.pdf|page=9}}</ref> Approximately 12,000&nbsp;families were significantly affected by the cyclone.<ref name="RW2"/>

[[Rakhine State]] suffered a direct hit from the cyclone, with [[Gwa Township]] reporting the worst damage. There, 88&nbsp;homes were destroyed and 1,246&nbsp;more were damaged. One person was killed and at least four others were injured in the township. Ra Haing Ku Toe village suffered significant losses as well, with 132&nbsp;homes destroyed and 531&nbsp;more damaged.<ref name="RW1">{{cite web|work=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=May 3, 2006|access-date=May 6, 2014|title=Myanmar: Cyclone Mala Information Bulletin No. 1|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-cyclone-mala-information-bulletin-no-1}}</ref> A storm surge of {{convert|4.57|m|ft|abbr=on}} struck the region, but did not impact populated areas.<ref name="MIMU"/>

Across the [[Irrawaddy Delta]], hurricane-force winds caused extensive damage to housing and infrastructure.<ref name="RW1"/> [[Haigyi Island (town)|Haigyi Island]] was the first area struck by the storm. Several homes were destroyed and many more lost their roof there.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press International |date=April 28, 2006 |title=Myanmar authorities put on alert after cyclone destroys homes in southwestern delta region |location=Yangon, Myanmar  |via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref> Thunderstorms from the storm's outer bands on April&nbsp;28 damaged 586&nbsp;homes in [[Hlaingthaya Township]]. Residents described what appeared to be a [[tornado]] as the cause of the damage. The Hlaingthaya industrial zone was hardest hit, with five factories destroyed and dozens of homes having their roof torn off.<ref name="TheNation1"/> Locals, however, claimed that the damage was more severe than reported by the government.<ref name="AFP2">{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=April 30, 2006|title=Cyclone Mala kills one and injures 21 in Myanmar|location=Yangon, Myanmar  |via=Lexis Nexis}}</ref> Cars were reportedly tossed into the air during the storm.<ref name="TheNation1">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=The Nation|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=May 6, 2014|title=Cyclone Mala kills two in Burma|location=Yangon, Myanmar|page=4A|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HkwzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AyUMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1024%2C261968}}</ref> Two people were killed and fourteen others were injured in Hlaingthaya.<ref name="RW1"/> The winds also downed numerous power lines, leaving many without electricity.<ref name="AFP2"/> In [[Labutta Township]], near the southern tip of the Delta, 88&nbsp;homes were destroyed.<ref name="RW1"/> In the [[Hinthada District]], torrential rains caused [[flash flood]]ing that killed 18&nbsp;people and left 14&nbsp;others missing.<ref name="IFRC1"/>

==Aftermath==
By May&nbsp;1, the local branch of the [[Red Cross]] distributed essential supplies to residents in Labutta Township. In coordination with the Disaster Assistance Response Team, the areas in greatest need for aid were identified and requests for [[tarpaulin]] were made.<ref name="RW1"/> Members of the [[Cabinet of Burma]] donated 3.7&nbsp;million kyat (US$2,960) in cash and 140&nbsp;bags of rice to victims in the [[Ayeyarwady Region]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Government of Myanmar|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=May 1, 2006|access-date=May 6, 2014|title=Myanmar: Commander, Minister donate relief supplies to cyclone victims in Ayeyawady Division|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-commander-minister-donate-relief-supplies-cyclone-victims-ayeyawady-division}}</ref> On May&nbsp;3, another 1.7&nbsp;million kyat (US$1,360) was donated by social organizations to residents in rural areas outside [[Yangon]].<ref>{{cite web|work=Government of Myanmar|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=May 3, 2006|access-date=May 6, 2014|title=Myanmar: Relief provided to cyclone victims|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-relief-provided-cyclone-victims}}</ref> Temporary shelters were set up across Gwa Township. Local donations provided residents in the town with 200,000&nbsp;kyat (US$160) worth of blankets, clothes, and cash.<ref name="RW1"/> A local newspaper, ''The New Light of Myanmar'', claimed that government officials immediately provided assistance to affected residents across the country.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New Light of Myanmar|date=May 3, 2006|title=Cyclone Mala leaves 18 drowned, 14 missing in Kyangin |location=Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar}}</ref> Red Cross operations continued through November&nbsp;30, by which time 3,485&nbsp;families were provided with aid.<ref name="RW2">{{cite web|work=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=November 6, 2006|access-date=May 8, 2014|title=Myanmar: Cyclone Mala DREF Bulletin MDRMM001 Update No. 2|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/myanmar/myanmar-cyclone-mala-dref-bulletin-mdrmm001-update-no-2}}</ref> Additionally, though the agency planned to assist 4,000&nbsp;families with rebuilding their homes, a lack of necessary funds prevented the operation. Instead, a cash donation was provided to the 1,000&nbsp;most affected families.<ref>{{cite web|work=International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies|publisher=ReliefWeb|date=February 15, 2007|access-date=May 8, 2014|title=Myanmar: Cyclone Mala DREF Bulletin MDRMM001 Final Report|url=http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/1573491ADE0565584925728300199947-Full_Report.pdf}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Tropical cyclones}}
*[[2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
*[[Cyclone Nargis]]&nbsp;– A storm of similar intensity two years later that devastated the [[Irrawaddy Delta]]
*[[Cyclone Giri]]&nbsp;– A storm of similar intensity in 2010 that caused significant damage in areas just north of where Mala struck
*[[Cyclone Maarutha]]&nbsp;– A storm of weaker intensity in 2017 that caused some notable damage in northwestern areas of Myanmar in April
*[[Cyclone Mocha]] – A destructive storm of similar intensity and path in 2023 that caused widespread damages in Myanmar.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

{{2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season buttons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mala}}
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in Myanmar]]
[[Category:2006 North Indian Ocean cyclone season]]
[[Category:2006 in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Extremely severe cyclonic storms]]
[[Category:Tropical cyclones in 2006]]
[[Category:2006 disasters in Myanmar]]
[[Category:April 2006 in Asia]]