Oslo  - The death toll in cyclone-impacted Myanmar was likely to rise, the Oslo-based opposition radio station Democratic Voice of Burma said Tuesday.

"The death toll is much higher than the government says," said deputy managing editor Khin Maung Win, singling out the Irrawaddy Delta as a specific disaster area.

"There are a lot of poor people there, many villages have been wiped out by the storm and heavy winds," Khin Maung Win said.

The military government "cannot handle the situation, they cannot even clean up areas and streets in Rangoon (Yangon)," the former capital, he said.

"People can't help themselves," he said noting that the station had information from one survivor who had witnessed that in his village only six people had survived the cyclone.

The fact that the government is asking for international assistance was due to the fact they have "no choice."

But the regime was to blame - its shortcomings and failure to set up warning systems and evacuation plans and overall policies had contributed to the poverty, Khin Maung Win charged.

Immediate needs include shelter, drinking water, medicine and food.

Khin Maung Win said he doubted if the referendum would go ahead as planned Saturday. (dpa)