Myanmar is facing a dire situation as surging river levels and relentless rainfall have led to widespread flooding across the country, prompting more than 45,000 people to seek safety in relief shelters. The floods have been particularly devastating during this monsoon season, with several regions and states, including Kachin, Kayin, Bago, Magway, Mon, and Rakhine, bearing the brunt of the natural disaster.
Tragically, the floods have claimed five lives so far. Among the victims, three were from Mon State, while two were from Rakhine State, Xinhua news agency reported quoiting to an official from Myanmar’s Department of Disaster Management as saying.
In response to the crisis, the Department of Disaster Management has taken swift action by establishing 109 shelters across the country to provide aid to flood victims. The majority of these shelters are strategically located in Mon, Kayin, and Rakhine states, as well as in the Bago Region, where the impact of the floods has been most profound.
Rakhine State has been particularly hard hit, with over 10,000 people from 2,146 households already evacuated to shelters due to flooding and rising river levels, as reported by state media. Meanwhile, in Kayin State, six out of seven townships have been inundated, prompting the relocation of over 18,000 residents from their homes to seek refuge in shelters.
The floods have triggered not only a humanitarian crisis but also significant infrastructure damage. Heavy rains in Kayin State led to landslides, causing a portion of the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Road to collapse on Monday. This incident has effectively blocked transportation along the route, rendering it impassable for vehicles.
Furthermore, vital roadways connecting major cities have been submerged. Parts of the critical road linking Kayin State’s capital, Hpa-an, and Mon’s capital, Mawlamyine, were inundated, severely disrupting travel. Additionally, flooding forced the closure of 12 primary schools in the Kyaikmaraw township in Mon.
In Bago Region, the continuous heavy rains forced the relocation of 12,461 people from 2,973 households to shelters as severe flooding swept through the area. A resident of Bago shared the harrowing experience, revealing, “the ground floor of my house remained submerged, with water reaching chest height in my yard.”
U Hla Tun, a director from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, highlighted the significant role of recent heavy rainfall in causing river overflow. Several rivers, including the Sittaung, Bago, and Thanlwin rivers, remained perilously above their danger levels on Thursday afternoon, as reported by the weather department.
In a post, Myanmar Red Cross says – “Due to the continuous rainfall, households from submerged houses were relocated to flood relief camps in Bah An, Kawkareik, Hlaing Bwe, Kyar In Seik Gyi, Myawaddy and Phapon townships in Karen State, collecting lists of affected households, emergency patients to hospitals and clinics. Local Red Cross volunteers assist in delivering, finding oxygen for emergency needs, distributing donor-donated food, and assisting with healthcare.”
In light of the ongoing threat, the weather agency issued a warning to residents living near riverbanks or low-lying areas in specific towns, urging them to remain vigilant about potential flood risks. Looking ahead, the weather agency’s latest 10-day forecast predicts a further rise in river levels across various parts of the country, including the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers, until August 20. Myanmar faces an arduous path to recovery as it grapples with the devastating aftermath of these catastrophic floods.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
