Myanmar – Thousands Displaced in North and West as Rivers Overflow

Flooding has displaced thousands of people in northern and western Myanmar after a period of heavy rain caused rivers overflow.

Kachin State and Sagaing Region

Over 14,000 people have been displaced by flooding from the Irrawaddy river in Myanmar’s northern state of Kachin.

Flooding from the Irrawaddy river in Myanmar’s state of Kachin. Photo: MOI Myanmar

According to reports, the worst hit area is Myitkyina, where 2,000 households have been forced to leave their homes. Over 20 relief camps have been set up to accommodate those displaced.

The Department of Meteorology And Hydrology reported that the Irrawaddy river was above the danger mark at Bhamo and Shwegu in Kachin state and Katha in Sagaing Region.

The Chindwin river was above danger mark at Hkamti, Sagaing Region. Hkamti recorded 87mm of rain in 24 hours to 14 July, 2019.

Levels of the Chindwin river at Hkamti. Image; Department of Meteorology And Hydrology
Levels of the Irrawaddy river at Katha. Image; Department of Meteorology And Hydrology
Levels of the Irrawaddy river at Shwegu. Image; Department of Meteorology And Hydrology
Levels of the Irrawaddy river at Bhamo. Image; Department of Meteorology And Hydrology

Rakhine State

According to the country’s disaster management department, flooding has also forced 3,000 people to evacuate their homes in the western Rakhine state. Around 90mm of rain fell in Sittwe, Rakhine state, in 24 hours to 14 July. Thantwe recorded 173mm during the same period.

Floods in Rakhine state, Myanmar, July 2019. Photo: Myanmar Red Cross