Myanmar – Floods in Kachin State and Sagaing Region Leave 7 Dead, 60,000 Affected

The ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) is reporting that floods caused by heavy rain since 15 July have affected around 60,000 people in Kachin State and Sagaing Region in Myanmar.

The flooded areas include township of Minkin, Kantbalu, Kyunhla, Kanee, Kawlin, Butalin and Inntaw in Sagaing Region, as well as Mogoung in Kachin State.

As of 20 July 2015, Myanmar’s Relief and Resettlement Department reported that 57,101 people were affected in Sagaing, and 2,116 people affected in Kachin. Local media report that around 500 houses have been damaged in Sagaing Region, and many people have been instructed to evacuate and move to higher ground, although exact numbers of those displaced are as yet unavailable.

Media have also reported that at least 7 people have died in the floods. Some of the victims are thought to have died whilst trying to rescue others.

AHA Centre say that “The Government of Myanmar has led the emergency response operations. The distribution of relief items, establishment of shelters and the provision of medical care were undertaken by the disaster management agencies along with the police, military, fire brigade and other departments.”

Earlier this month at least 6 people died and 8,500 evacuated after floods hit parts of Rakhine state, Kayin state and Tanintharyi region.

Release of Water from Dams and Reservoirs

Local newspaper, New Light of Myanmar, reported on 19 July that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation are releasing water from 12 dams and reservoirs across the country to prevent damage of these irrigation facilities with increasing levels of water caused by torrential rains in recent days.

The officials are monitoring the water levels at the dams in Kayin state, Sagaing region, Bago region, Magway region, Rakhine state, Yangon, and Ayeyawady regions.

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