The recorded casualties because of cyclone Mocha that crossed Rakhine State on14  May vary for the military rulers and the National Unity Government(NUG).

Media outlets, run by the military council, reported on 18 May that 47 localresidents died during the storm. Some security personnel also died in therescue operations after the disaster.

On the other hand, while releasing the storm damage reportson 18 May, the NUG claimed that 455 people died across the entire country dueto the cyclonic storm.

According to the NUG's list, 431 people died in Rakhine State itself. At least15 people died in Magwe division,  four in Sagaing division, two in Shan State and one each in Irrawaddy, Mandalay and Yangon divisions.

Till date, the ULA/AA has not revealed the number of dead in the storm.

The  communication network is not working in various parts of Rakhine Stateand it remains a  difficult job  to authenticate the numbers as thetelephone and internet services have gone out of order.

"The death toll because of Mocha must be over 100. The military governmentalways hides the facts. Thus they want to hide their irresponsibility,"said a Rakhine social worker, adding that the true picture will emerge afterthe communication network is restored.

Observers pointed out that the Arakan Army evacuated the families from theareas under its control and hence a lower number of dead was reported, butthere are more casualties in those areas under the control of militaries asthey did not take appropriate actions in advance to the disaster.