Yangon, Sep 13 (V7N)- At least 19 people have died and thousands have been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar after heavy rains from Super Typhoon Yagi triggered widespread flooding. The national firefighting agency reported that around 3,600 people affected by the flood were evacuated by boat to safety.

The impact of Typhoon Yagi has not been limited to Myanmar, as neighbouring Vietnam and Thailand have also experienced severe flooding. Over 230 people have lost their lives in the two countries, with several cities inundated by rising rivers. The devastation has caused widespread displacement and damage, as reported by British news agency Reuters.

In Myanmar, the flooding comes at a time of political and economic turmoil. Since the military coup in February 2021, the country has been grappling with ongoing violence between the military junta and resistance forces. The conflict, combined with an already struggling economy, is expected to make recovery from the floods more difficult.

Satellite imagery analysis by the Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU), in collaboration with the United Nations, revealed that around 162 square kilometres of land near Naypyidaw, the country’s capital, were submerged as of Thursday. In addition, 366 square kilometres in Mandalay were also flooded.

Myanmar's fire department reported that rescue operations were ongoing, with over 3,600 people evacuated from 30 areas in the Naypyidaw region. Rescue workers have used boats to reach those stranded, including women and children trapped on rooftops. However, 19 fatalities have already been confirmed.

Amid this crisis, around one-third of Myanmar's population—about 55 million people—are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Unfortunately, access to flood-affected areas has been severely hampered by security risks and restrictions, limiting the ability of relief agencies such as the International Red Cross to provide assistance.

The combined effects of conflict, economic hardship, and natural disaster have left Myanmar in a precarious situation as it struggles to cope with this latest tragedy.

END/AJ/RH