Devastating Floods and Landslides in Myanmar: At Least 74 Dead

Tragedy Strikes Myanmar: Floods and Landslides Claim Lives

The recent flooding and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi have resulted in a devastating death toll in Myanmar, with reports indicating that at least 74 lives have been lost and 89 individuals remain missing, as announced by the country’s state television on Saturday. The chaotic situation has made it increasingly difficult to gather accurate information, leading to concerns that the actual number of casualties could be even higher.

A distressing video shared on social media platform X depicted scenes of individuals being rescued from submerged streets, highlighting the severity of the crisis. The updated official figures released by the military government represent more than a twofold increase from the 33 fatalities reported on Friday. Typhoon Yagi had previously wreaked havoc in Vietnam, northern Thailand, and Laos, claiming over 260 lives and causing extensive damage across the region.

In light of the unfolding disaster, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the ruling military council, announced that Myanmar is seeking international relief assistance. Reports indicate that nearly 240,000 people have been displaced due to the flooding, exacerbating a pre-existing humanitarian crisis where approximately 3.4 million people were already displaced by ongoing conflict and unrest as of early September, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

Since Wednesday, low-lying regions in central Myanmar, including Mandalay and Bago, as well as eastern Shan state and the capital, Naypyitaw, have been severely affected by rising waters. On Friday, Min Aung Hlaing, along with other military officials, conducted inspections of the inundated areas and assessed ongoing rescue, relief, and rehabilitation operations in Naypyitaw, as reported by the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper. During his visit, he emphasized the need to reach out to foreign nations for aid, mirroring the actions taken by other countries impacted by the storm. He stated, “It is essential to manage rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures as swiftly as possible.”

While the full extent of the damage remains uncertain, fears persist that the death toll could rise significantly. Local media outlets have reported that more than 100 individuals are currently unaccounted for. The efforts to assess casualties, damages, and provide necessary assistance have been complicated by Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, which erupted in 2021 following the military’s seizure of power from the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. Analysts suggest that the military’s control over the country is limited, affecting their ability to respond effectively to such disasters.

Myanmar is no stranger to extreme weather events, especially during the monsoon season. The catastrophic Cyclone Nargis in 2008 claimed more than 138,000 lives, with the then-military government delaying international aid for an extended period and subsequently exerting tight control over its distribution, often with minimal oversight from aid organizations.

On Saturday evening, state television reported that the floods have caused significant infrastructural damage across central and eastern Myanmar, including the destruction of 24 bridges, 375 school buildings, one Buddhist monastery, five dams, four pagodas, 14 electrical transformers, 456 lampposts, and more than 65,000 homes.

Naypyitaw has been identified as one of the regions hardest hit by the floods. The Eleven Media group reported that unprecedented rainfall, described as the heaviest in 60 years, has resulted in damage to several ancient pagodas in Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic rainfall has even led to the collapse of walls in century-old temples, underscoring the profound impact of this natural disaster.