Geneva  - UN weather service experts proposed a ten million- dollar plan Wednesday to replace and upgrade cyclone-hit Myanmar's early warning systems.

A group of experts from the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO), back from a fact-finding mission to the country, confirmed they had found serious failings. Better observation and radar systems were needed said the head of risk reduction at WMO, Dieter Schiessl.

Other equipment, that had been destroyed when Cyclone Nargis swept across the region on May 2, needed to be replaced urgently.

Improvements were also needed to guarantee electricity even in times of severe storms. Meteorological equipment had been disrupted by power cuts as the cyclone approached.

Extra staff should be trained and better lines of communication should be set up to serve the population, said WMO.

WMO experts had travelled to the country after saying poor weather warning equipment and a lack of preparation had contributed to the scale of the disaster.

The official death toll now stands at more than 77,000 dead and almost 60,000 missing. (dpa)