At least 10 people have been killed and some 50,000 others displaced in Myanmar after monsoon rains caused flooding across four of the country's states over the weekend, according to a government official. 

 

"We have provided boats and lifejackets for people affected by the flooding and arranged temporary shelter," Phyu Lai Lai Htun, director of the department of disaster management, told DPA news agency on Monday. 

 

The water level is now stable in two of the states and was receding in Mon and Bago states, near Yangon, according to the official.

An estimated 100,000 people may have been affected by the floods.



 

The floods have not been as severe as those in 2015 when around 100 people reportedly died and more than 330,000 were forced from their homes.

But the United Nations in Myanmar said in a statement on Saturday that it was "following with great concern the flooding and extensive devastation caused by heavy rains". 

 

"The UN in Myanmar is mobilising its partners, resources and capacity and is offering to provide support to the ongoing assistance delivered to the victims of the floods by the Government of Myanmar, civil society organisations, volunteers and other partners," UN resident humanitarian coordinator Knut Ostby said. </s> Naypyidaw, July 31 (IANS) At least 10 people have been killed and more than 100,000 people forced to flee their homes after heavy rains pounded Myanmar and flooded villages, according to government officials.

As of Tuesday, some 119,000 people across five provinces had been displaced by rising waters, with Magway region particularly hard hit, with more than 70,000 affected, CNN quoted Min Thein, Director of the Disaster Management Agency, as saying.

Images released by the Ministry of Information show rescue boats evacuating people, while children and families cling to rooftops to escape rising water levels.

However, attempts to reach many of those affected have been hampered by heavy rains.

Many of those displaced have been relocated to temporary shelters, with both monasteries and cyclone shelters opening their doors to families, according to the National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC).

Additional shelters would be opened for pregnant women and women with young children, said the Committee.

Parts of Myanmar flood annually during the monsoon. In 2015, seasonal flooding killed around 100 and displaced more than 200,000 people. </s> Nearly 120,000 people have been displaced after floods submerged a vast swathe of southeastern Myanmar, killing 11 people and sending panicked residents fleeing for dry ground with children perched on their shoulders and few belongings in tow.

An official told AFP on Tuesday over 118,000 people have taken refuge in 285 camps so far, as the toll climbed to 11 dead -- including three solders -- with more deaths feared.

Swirling, muddy waters reached thatched-roofed homes and wiped out farmland in four provinces as officials scrambled to set up rescue centres amid continued torrential rains on Tuesday.

Rescuers in boats tried to pluck people from floodwaters in Hpa-an in Karen state while other residents tried to escape by any means possible, balancing on makeshift rafts or wading out carrying children and plastic bags of goods.

"There could be a few more casualties but we are still collecting the information," Social Welfare Ministry Director Phyu Lei Lei Tun said.

"Water is going down in some places. But we do not know how long the disaster will last." Meanwhile five others were confirmed killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Kawthaung township in Myanmar's southern tip.

Evacuation orders are still in place for many flood-stricken areas with a number of rivers exceeding danger levels by several feet and 36 dams and reservoirs overflowing, state-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

The Mekong region has been battered by particularly heavy monsoon rains this year, causing devastating floods that have forced thousands to flee and wiped out homes and farmland.

Heavy rains caused a massive dam in southern Laos to collapse last week, wiping out entire villages and killing at least 11 -- though earlier official tolls initially put the number as high as 27.Floodwaters from that catastrophe seeped into Cambodia and forced thousands from their homes.

Rescuers are still searching for survivors in southern Laos more than a week after the dam collapse, with Thai, South Korean and Chinese specialists joining efforts to find scores still missing. </s> Evacuation orders have been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts country

BAGO, Myanmar – Rising floodwaters have killed at least 5 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Sunday, as heavy monsoon rains continue to batter the Mekong region.

Dramatic images showed vast areas of farmland completely submerged in muddy waters stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible.

Some stranded people were plucked from the churning inundations by rescuers in boats, while others waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water.

"There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country," a Ministry of Social Welfare official told AFP.

The official confirmed that 5 people had been killed but said this figure was expected to rise.

Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts country.

The floods in Myanmar come as a particularly heavy monsoon continues to pummel the region, bringing downpours that contributed to the collapse of a dam last week in Laos, which left scores dead or missing.

Myanmar is hit by severe flooding every year and climate scientists in 2015 ranked it top of a global list of nations hardest hit by extreme weather.

That year more than 100 people died in floods that also displaced hundreds of thousands across the country.

Myanmar's worst natural disaster of recent times was Cyclone Nargis, which lashed huges stretches of the country's coast, leaving at least 138,000 dead or missing in May 2008. – Rappler.com </s> BAGO (Myanmar)
• Surging flood waters have killed at least 10 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official said yesterday as more heavy monsoon rain battered the region.

Vast areas of farmland completely submerged in muddy waters stretched to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible. Some stranded people were rescued by boat, while others waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water.

"There have been 10 people killed by the floods," a Ministry of Social Welfare official said, adding that the figure included three soldiers whose deaths were confirmed yesterday. "There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding," the official added.

Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts of the country.

The floods in Myanmar come as a particularly heavy monsoon continues to pummel the region, bringing downpours that contributed to the collapse of a dam last week in Laos, which left scores dead or missing. </s> Myanmar floods kill at least 10, force 54,000 people from homes

BAGO, Myanmar: Surging floodwaters have killed at least 10 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official said on Sunday as more heavy monsoon rain battered the region.

Vast areas of farmland have been submerged by muddy water stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible. Some stranded people were plucked from the churning waters by rescuers in boats, while volunteers used rafts made from barrels and pieces of wood.

Other flood victims waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water. "There have been 10 people killed by the floods", a Ministry of Social Welfare official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that the figure included three soldiers whose deaths were confirmed on Sunday.

"There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country". Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts of the country.

"There are normally floods, but not like this year. This year is the worst ever," said Myint Myint Than, one of the hundreds taking refuge in a shelter in Bago. Others are holding firm, refusing to leave their flooded homes in spite of the warnings from authorities.

"I’m not going to the shelter yet because some shelters don’t have any places left. But if the flooding gets any worse than this, I will have to escape," Khin Mar Yee told AFP through the upper window of her submerged house. </s> Surging floodwaters have killed at least 10 people and forced tens of thousands from their homes across swathes of Myanmar, a government official said Sunday as more heavy monsoon rain battered the region.

Vast areas of farmland have been submerged by muddy water stretching to the horizon, with only the rooftops of some houses visible.

Some stranded people were plucked from the churning waters by rescuers in boats, while volunteers used rafts made from barrels and pieces of wood.

Other flood victims waded through waist-deep water to escape, carrying children on their shoulders while trying to keep precious belongings out of the water.

"There have been 10 people killed by the floods," a Ministry of Social Welfare official told AFP on condition of anonymity, adding that the figure included three soldiers whose deaths were confirmed on Sunday.

"There are more than 54,000 displaced people affected by the flooding around the country."

Evacuation orders had been issued in several areas, while some 163 camps have been set up for displaced people in southern, eastern and central parts of the country.

"There are normally floods, but not like this year. This year is the worst ever," said Myint Myint Than, one of the hundreds taking refuge in a shelter in Bago.

Others are holding firm, refusing to leave their flooded homes in spite of the warnings from authorities.

"I'm not going to the shelter yet because some shelters don't have any places left. But if the flooding gets any worse than this, I will have to escape," Khin Mar Yee told AFP through the upper window of her submerged house.

The floods in Myanmar come as a particularly heavy monsoon pummels the region, bringing downpours that contributed to the collapse of a dam last week in Laos, which left scores dead or missing.

Myanmar is hit by severe flooding every year and climate scientists in 2015 ranked it top of a global list of nations hardest hit by extreme weather.

That year more than 100 people died in floods that also displaced hundreds of thousands across the country.

Myanmar's worst natural disaster of recent times was Cyclone Nargis, which lashed huge stretches of the country's coast and left at least 138,000 dead or missing in May 2008. </s> "There could be a few more casualties but we are still collecting the information," Social Welfare Ministry Director Phyu Lei Lei Tun said. "Water is going down in some places. But we do not know how long the disaster will last."

Nearly 120,000 people have been displaced after floods submerged a vast swathe of southeastern Myanmar, killing 11 people and sending panicked residents fleeing for dry ground with children perched on their shoulders and few belongings in tow. An official told AFP today over 118,000 people have taken refuge in 285 camps so far, as the toll climbed to 11 dead - including three soldiers - with more deaths feared. Swirling, muddy waters reached thatched-roofed homes and wiped out farmland in four provinces as officials scrambled to set up rescue centres amid continued torrential rains today.

Rescuers in boats tried to pluck people from floodwaters in Hpa-an in Karen state while other residents tried to escape by any means possible, balancing on makeshift rafts or wading out carrying children and plastic bags of goods. "There could be a few more casualties but we are still collecting the information," Social Welfare Ministry Director Phyu Lei Lei Tun said. "Water is going down in some places. But we do not know how long the disaster will last."

Meanwhile, five others were confirmed killed in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in Kawthaung township in Myanmar's southern tip.

Evacuation orders are still in place for many flood-stricken areas with a number of rivers exceeding danger levels by several feet and 36 dams and reservoirs overflowing, state-backed Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

The Mekong region has been battered by particularly heavy monsoon rains this year, causing devastating floods that have forced thousands to flee and wiped out homes and farmland. Heavy rains caused a massive dam in southern Laos to collapse last week, wiping out entire villages and killing at least 11 -- though earlier official tolls initially put the number as high as 27.

Floodwaters from that catastrophe seeped into Cambodia and forced thousands from their homes.

Rescuers are still searching for survivors in southern Laos more than a week after the dam collapse, with Thai, South Korean and Chinese specialists joining efforts to find scores still missing.

Edited by mid-day online desk with inputs from PTI

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and <a title="mid-day iOS app" </s> At least 22 people were killed when a landslide triggered by monsoon rains struck a village in eastern Myanmar, as emergency workers continued the search Saturday for scores more feared missing.

[MAWLAMYINE] At least 22 people were killed when a landslide triggered by monsoon rains struck a village in eastern Myanmar, as emergency workers continued the search Saturday for scores more feared missing.

A huge brown scar on the hillside marked where the deluge of mud descended on Thae Pyar Kone village in Mon state on Friday, wiping out 16 homes and a monastery.

Search and rescue teams worked through the night trying to find survivors and recover bodies from the deep sludge.

"So far we have found 22 bodies and 47 injured people," said local administrator Myo Min Tun.

Officials believe up to 100 people could still be missing.

Aerial pictures showed broken remnants of rooftops and other debris from the houses strewn next to trucks knocked over by the force of the mudslide.

Htay Htay Win, 32, told AFP that two of her daughters and five other relatives had still not been found.

"I heard a huge noise and turned round to see my home being hit by the mud," she said, crying.

Rescue workers spent Saturday morning loading bodies wrapped in plastic onto the back of flatbed trucks as worried villagers looked on.

Emergency crews had to unblock the main highway from Yangon to Mawlamyine, buried under six feet (1.8 metres) of sludge.

Torrential downpours have burst riverbanks across the country while coastal communities have been warned of higher tides.

In the town of Shwegyin in eastern Bago region, residents waded out through waist-deep waters or waited to be rescued by boat after the Sittaung river burst its banks, swallowing entire homes.

Around 89,000 people have been displaced by floods in recent weeks, although many have since been able to return home, according to the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Vietnam has also experienced heavy flooding this week with at least eight people killed in the country's central highlands and rescuers using a zipline to carry dozens of others to safety. </s> A landslide has buried more than a dozen village houses in southeast Myanmar, killing at least 34 people, an official says.

Rescuers were using backhoes and bulldozers to clear the mud and debris from the village in Paung township on Saturday.

The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported that some residents were still missing.

MP Zaw Zaw Htoo arrived at the scene on Saturday morning and said the death toll had reached 34.

He said he saw rescue teams retrieve 12 bodies on Saturday, after 22 were found on Friday. He said the search operation was ongoing.

The top official in Mon state Aye Zan, visited the site and villagers who were evacuated to a relief camp to escape floods following torrential rains.

The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that monsoon flooding had displaced more than 7000 people this week in Mon state.

Apart from the landslide in Paung, houses and a school in other townships were washed away, roads were blocked and villages were submerged.

Nearly 12,000 people have been displaced in Myanmar this week alone, bringing the total number of those in evacuation centres to more than 38,000, the UN said.
11 people died and 54,000 others are displaced when floods hits Myanmar.