India, March 31 -- Myanmar's military junta has blocked international journalists from accessing earthquake-hit areas of the country, creating an information blackout.

The Junta spokesperson cited lack of water, electricity and other facilities for banning the movement of international journalists to the quake-ravaged regions.

"It is not possible for [foreign journalists] to come, stay, find shelter, or move around here. We want everyone to understand this," Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, the regime's spokesperson, in an audio statement issued on Sunday as quoted by Myanmar Now.

Nearly 1700 people have died, and scores of others were injured in the quake.

A large number of people still remain missing.

Independent sources told Myanmar Now that ...