EXTREMELY Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis was an uncommonly destructive and deadly cyclone that caused the worst natural disaster in the recorded history of Myanmar. The cyclone made landfall in Myanmar on Friday, 2 May 2008. Nargis developed on 27 April in the central area of Bay of Bengal. Initially, the storm tracked slowly northwestward, and encountering favourable conditions, it quickly strengthened. Nargis rapidly intensified to attain peak winds of at least 165 km/h (105 mph) on 2 May, according to India Meteorological Department — IMD observations; the Joint Typhoon warning Centre — JTWC assessed peak winds of 215 km/h (130 mph). The cyclone moved ashore in the Ayeyawady Division of Myanmar at peak intensity after gaining extra strength near Hainggyi Island.