Jun 17, 2008 (DVB), Residents, cyclone refugees and aid workers in Irrawaddy division were concerned by a warning issued by the Burmese government of strong winds on Monday.

An Irrawaddy resident said the cyclone had made people particularly concerned by any reports of extreme weather conditions.

"The government’s weather department made an announcement on television this afternoon that the wind speed could reach up to 50mph within the next 47 hours," the resident said, speaking yesterday.

"People were traumatized by Cyclone Nargis and now they get nervous so easily with the wind, but I don’t think this one is a very big deal , this kind of wind is usual at this time of year."

A Labutta resident said it had been raining got the past two days and strong winds started on Monday afternoon.

There were rumours that the roofs had been blown off several houses and tents in the winds.

A resident of Bogalay said he had heard that the temporary accommodation for cyclone victims had been damaged.

"According to someone who was in Irra village, dried-leaf sheets used as roofs on tents in the village’s disaster camp were blown away by the wind like pieces of clothing," the resident said.

"Cyclone victims living in the camp were so scared they came into the village and took shelter in strong buildings."

An aid worker said the weather had caused a relief mission to be postponed.

"The Free Funeral Service Society has postponed their aid trip to Amar village , members are taking shelter in Bogalay after they heard rumours that about 40 houses had been destroyed in the village."

Reporting by Yee May Aung