Floods Displace Thousands In Myanmar, Landslide Claims 2 Dozen Lives

The bodies of 23 victims were recovered after days of search hampered by heavy monsoon rains for 27 missing people of a landslide that hit Myanmar’s northern jade mining area on July 24. Authorities continue search for the remaining 4 bodies, many of whom belong to the ethnic Rawang minority.

“We found 23 dead bodies by yesterday (Sunday) evening and we will try to find the remaining four if the weather is good today,” an official said.

The southeast nation is also battling heavy floods that killed at least 10 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes.

Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare said, "There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country.”

Dramatic visuals show vast areas of farmland submerged in muddy water and several stranded people being picked by rescuers in boats, while some walking through water to escape the flood, carrying children on their shoulders.

Evacuation orders were issued in several parts of the country and 163 emergency camps were set up.

Myint Myint Than, one of the hundreds taking refuge in a shelter in Bago, said, “There are normally floods, but not like this year. This year is the worst ever,” The Straits Times reported.

“I’m not going to the shelter yet because some shelters don’t have any places left. But if the flooding gets any worse than this, I will have to escape,” Khin Mar Yee, another resident told Agence France-Presse.

Knut Ostby, United Nations resident coordinator in Myanmar, expressed her concern saying, “My thoughts are with the families whose lives have been impacted by the floods. I’m alarmed by the destruction of property, infrastructure & agricultural land.”

She added, “The UN in Myanmar is mobilising its partners, resources and capacity and is offering to provide support to the ongoing assistance delivered to the victims of the floods by the Government of Myanmar, civil society organisations, volunteers and other partners,” Myanmar Times reported.

Meteorologists say more rains are expected in the coming weeks.

“The monsoon will be upgraded in Myanmar coastal areas over the next three days because of a depression that could trigger more rain through August 6,” U Kyaw Moe Oo, director general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, said.

Water level of the Ngawun River in Ayeyarwady region was about 2 inches below the danger level Sunday and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology advised people living near the river to take precautions against flash floods.

Ma Sun Myat Pan, a local resident, said “I have never seen water like this before. Everyone wants to get out of Thaton. There were few rescuers and not enough boats.”

Several vehicles were trapped and buses from stopped from leaving their terminals. “There may be about 300 vehicles trapped at the township entrance. We have to wait and cannot do anything because it is a natural disaster,” a bus driver said.

Floods in Myanmar also contributed to the collapse of a dam in Laos last week, which left scores dead or missing.