YANGON (UCAN): At least 113 people died, and thousands were displaced after heavy rain triggered by Super Typhoon Yagi caused flooding in various parts of Myanmar. The storm hit vast areas in Southeast Asia and caused a tidal surge in the Bay of Bengal impacting various states in central and southern Myanmar between September 8 and 12.
Among the worst-affected places in Myanmar were Nay Pyi Taw, Bago and Mandalay in central Myanmar and southern Shan, Karen and Mon states.
The death toll had reached 113 as of September 14, the country’s military junta said, Reuters reported. At least 4,000 people had been evacuated to emergency shelters and over 50,000 remain at risk, officials said.
City halls, schools and Buddhist monasteries have been turned into temporary evacuation centers to accommodate displaced people.
Residents in several villages said they were facing various difficulties as many are stranded in their homes and unable to move to emergency shelters.
Ma Lin Lin, a 40-year-old resident of Pyawbwe township said at least 318 villages have reportedly been inundated in the Mandalay area, but her area was not flooded.
The death toll had reached 113 as of September 14, the country’s military junta said, Reuters reported. At least 4,000 people had been evacuated to emergency shelters and over 50,000 remain at risk, officials said
“Road connectivity is interrupted, and bridges have collapsed, so rescue operations are challenging. Many people are still trapped inside their homes,” she said.
Volunteers said several people, including some rescuers, died while trying to move people to safer locations in Tatkone, Pyinmana, and Lawe Townships in the Nay Pyi Taw area.
Ma Chaw Chaw Khaing, a volunteer, said flooding has left people stranded on rooftops in various villages. Some have been swept away by strong floodwaters.
She said that aid groups have started helping affected communities, but relief support is still insufficient. She added that at least 3,000 people are now sheltering in four emergency centers in Tatkone township.
“The number of flood victims arriving at shelters steadily rising each day. Food and clothing are truly our top priorities. I called my Facebook friends for help, some of them already responded,” she said
“I have never experienced such flooding. Nay Pyi Taw is in central Myanmar, which is not prone to flooding like lower parts of the country. This unprecedented flooding has overwhelmed the authorities and people, and it is getting worse,” Ko Zin Myo from the Nay Pyi Taw region said.
People were unprepared and had few boats with which to evacuate, he said, adding that flooding has caused severe damage to agriculture, businesses and houses.
Ma Shwe Zin, a furniture businessman from Pyinmanar township in Nay Pyi Taw said all his raw materials were swept away by floodwater.
“All machinery and accessories have been ruined and they are now beyond repair,” Zin said, adding that his total loss is about 200 million kyats [US$95,328].
Following the Angelus on September 15, Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Vietnam and Myanmar who are suffering the effects of Super Typhoon Yagi, according to Vatican News.
