Myanmar – 20,000 Affected by Floods in Mandalay Region

by in Asia, News

Update, 30 July 2020:

Myanmar state media reported on 30 July that the Ayeyarwady (also Ayeyawady and Irrawaddy) River burst its banks in Sagaing Region, prompting the evacuation of 6,516 people from 1,451 households.

In a report of 29 July, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said nearly 7,750 people in nine townships were displaced between 11 and 27 July by flooding in Kachin state. As of 29 July, some of those displaced had been able to return homes, although 46 temporary shelters were still hosting around 6,650 people.

Original report, 29 July 2020:

The Ayeyarwady River burst its banks, and 6,516 locals from 1,451 households in some areas of Sagaing Region were evacuated from their homes, state media reported.

Around 20,000 people have affected by flooding along the Ayeyarwady River in Myanmar, according to Red Cross reports.

Floods in Kachi nState, Myanmar, July 2020. Photo: Myanmar Red Cross Society

An embankment along the river near the Sagaing-Mandalay Highway collapsed on 19 July 2020. About 200 households in areas near Amarapura Township were immediately evacuated, with flooding affecting a total of 4,000 households or around 20,000 people.

Myanmar Red Cross Society reported on 23 July that thousands of people had to evacuate when heavy rains in Kachin caused floods, affecting around 800 families.

Over 160 people died after a massive landslide in a jade mine in Kachin State on 02 July this year.

Meanwhile, Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned that levels of the Ayeyarwady rivers are approaching the danger mark and are advising residents in low-lying areas of Mandalay, Sagaing, Myinmu and Myitnge to take precautionary measures.

Ayerwaddy river levels in Mandalay, Myanmar, July 2020. Image: Department of Meteorology and Hydrology

Social Media