“The tornado only hit the Kyaukpyu Airport. The glass panel that separates the arrival lounge and departure lounge has been damaged. Also, glasses near the arrival gate have also been broken,” said a staff from Kyaukpyu Airport.

State-owned newspaper reported today that a 90’ x 12’ glass panel with aluminum frame that separates the entrance and airline counter and a 28’ x 8’ glass panel with aluminum frame that separates the airline counter departure gate have been damaged inside the airport building. The damage estimate is around Ks 1 million.

“As far as I know, the windows had been opened and the glasses broke after the wind from the tornado entered via the window. Other areas haven’t received any damages,” he continued.

The Kyaukpyu Airport is one of the most outdated airports in Myanmar. It was built in 1983 and it is  very old now. The runway was only 4,620 feet long in the past but it was extended to 7,000 feet in 2011 and it is 100 feet wide.

The airport lounge does not have air-conditioners and it also does not have enough fans so the airport is lacking a lot in providing service to the passengers.

“Rakhine State Social Affairs Minister Dr Chan Thar, Electricity and Transportation Minister U Aung Kyaw Zan, and officials inspected [the airport] at 9 am this morning,” said the airport staff.