Myanmar: Over 200,000 people affected by floods /update 2

Event

According to Myanmar’s Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD), as of Friday, August 11, a total of 208,450 people from over 50,000 households are internally displaced after having had to flee their homes due to floods. The worst impacted areas are Sagaing region, Magwe region, Chin state, Bago region, Kayin state, Ayeyarwady region, Mon state, Nay Pyi Taw, Rakhine state, Shan state, and Tanintharyi region. At least three people have died due to the flooding.

Ayeyarwady River and Chindwin River have burst their banks, severely affecting the Magwe region, where residents have been advised that additional flooding may occur. More rain is expected  in upper Sagaing region, Kachin state, and Rakhine state through Sunday, August 13.

Context

Flooding is a common occurrence in Myanmar from June through August as heavy rain causes rivers to overflow. In June, six families in the Thayet district and Magwe township were displaced due to the floodwaters and two people were reported dead in Shan state. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by floods in the last two years.

Advice

Individuals present in the affected areas are advised to monitor the situation, to avoid areas directly hit by flooding, and to adhere to any orders issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.