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Myanmar: Floods - Jul 2019

Disaster description

Torrential monsoon rains and rising river levels have caused flooding. In Kachin State, according to the State Government, more than 6,200 people have been evacuated to 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu townships as of 13 July. Rakhine, Chin and Mon states are also being hit by floods. (OCHA, 15 Jul 2019)

Heavy rainfall during Myanmar’s monsoon season resulted in the Laymyo River overflowing at the beginning of July. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated...On 14 July, the water level of Laymyo River had risen further above danger level, and was expected to continue for the next two days. There are more than 180,000 residents in Mrauk-U Township, and an increase in flooding has the potential of affecting a higher number of people across the Township, including other IDP camps in the area. (ACAPS, 15 Jul 2019)

In Kachin State, more than 6,200 people are sheltering in 39 sites in Myitkyina, Bhamo and Shwegu. There are no reports of disease outbreak or casualties. Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships of Rakhine State, and Belin Township of Mon State are reportedly affected by floods with people evacuated from some areas. National authorities, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, civil society organisations and private donors are responding to the immediate needs of those affected or displaced by floods. By 14 July, all of the more than 3,400 people living in the IDP camp of Sin Baw Kaing village, Mrauk-U Township, were affected, and had to be relocated. Due to the active conflict, a night-time curfew is in place since April 2019 in Mrauk-U, limiting movement and access to services, particularly to healthcare. Internet access is down since 21 June and aid organisations have reported disruption to their activities. (ECHO, 16 Jul 2019)

Monsoon rains and overflowing rivers have triggered seasonal floods in eight states and regions, with evacuations in many locations. According to the Government, more than 57,000 people are estimated to have been cumulatively displaced to 184 evacuation centres. Three people are reported to have been killed. State and regional governments, DDM, the Myanmar Red Cross Society, civil society organizations and private individuals have provided relief assistance to the displaced and affected people. (OCHA, 22 Jul 2019)

A cumulative number of 78,000 people were displaced to 186 evacuation centres in Kachin, Rakhine, Chin, and Mon states, as well as Bago, Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions, according to the national Department of Disaster Management (DDM). As of 23 July, more than 40,000 people remain displaced in 39 evacuation centres in these three regions while almost all of the displaced people in other affected states and regions have returned to their homes. (OCHA, 23 Jul 2019)

According to official reports, monsoon floods have cumulatively displaced more than 86,000 people in eight states and regions. As flood waters have receded, more than 40,000 people remain displaced, sheltering in 57 sites downstream in the lower-lying regions of Mandalay, Magway and Sagaing. Around 300 people also remain displaced in the Bhamo area of Kachin State. (OCHA, 30 Jul 2019)

Monsoon floods cumulatively displaced more than 89,000 people across nine states and regions, as of 4 August. Most sites in Kachin and all sites in Rakhine, Mon and Chin states were closed and people have returned home as floodwaters receded. With water flowing southward, Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago and Magway regions and Kayin State are currently the most affected, with more than 26,000 people displaced. (OCHA, 5 Aug 2019)

More than 134,000 people have been affected by the floods since the beginning of July 2019. Approximately 86,413 people affected in the first round of flooding and formerly displaced in Kachin, Rakhine, Sagaing, Chin, Mandalay, and Magway have since been able to return to their homes. As of 11 August 2019, 48,581 people are seeking shelter in evacuation sites due to floods over the last two days in Ayeyarwaddy, Kayin, Bago, Mon, Tanintharyi, and Yangon. A landslide, caused by the heavy rainfall, occurred in Paung Township, Mon State yesterday morning. Reports from the branch assisting in the landslide operations indicate around 49 casualties, over 24 injured and around 50 people still missing. (IFRC, 12 Aug 2019)

According to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), a rain-induced landslide occurred in a village in Paung Township (Mon State) on Friday. Search and rescue operations have recovered 53 dead bodies, 29 are believed to be still missing. DDM is providing relief and cash assistance to affected families. The response is being managed by the local governments and the Red Cross. (ECHO, 12 Aug 2019)

Heavy monsoon rain, floods and landslides continue to affect the country resulting in additional deaths and displacing thousands. According to UN OCHA, at least 80,000 people are displaced and sheltering in 170 evacuation sites across the country. Media report that the number of deaths from the landslide in Paung Township (Mon State) has risen to 61. The mudflow destroyed dozens of houses and displaced 150 people. For the next 24 hours, heavy rainfall is forecast across the country, particularly in the Lower Sagaing Region. (ECHO, 14 Aug 2019)

Floodwaters are receding in many areas across Myanmar, with the number of people sheltering in temporary evacuation sites now below 100,000 people from a peak of more than 110,000 people on 13 August. Mon State is severely affected, with huge tracts of farmland and entire villages submerged as water levels have not yet subsided. Over the next few days, more heavy rainfall is predicted for Mon State, Kayin State, and Taninthayi Region, each one already heavily affected. (OCHA, 16 Aug 2019)

The immediate emergency caused by monsoon flooding in mid-August in Myanmar has passed for the time being, with fewer than 4,500 people remaining in temporary evacuation sites across the country. As of 26 August, more than half the currently displaced people are in Bago region, where more than 2,500 people were still unable to return home. All evacuation sites in Mon State that had been opened are now officially closed. Magway region has eight remaining sites, while one site remains open in Kayin State and two in Mandalay region. Only 12 sites remain open nation-wide. Most essential needs were covered by local communities and national and state first responders. Much of the work will now focus on the recovery phase, barring any deterioration later in the monsoon season. A number of agencies are currently active in needs assessments. (OCHA, 27 Aug 2019)

Seasonal monsoons have brought strong winds and heavy rains across Myanmar, which further intensified with depressions and low-pressure areas over the Bay of Bengal, causing increased water levels in major rivers and flooding. More than 231,000 people have been affected in various states and regions including Chin, Kachin, Magway, Mandalay Sagaing, Rakhine in the first round (July), and in Ayeyarwaddy, Bago, Kayin, Mon, Tanintharyi and Yangon in the second round (August to date). The flooding caused the closure of more than 500 schools, destruction of at least 375 houses, infrastructure, crop harvests, and livestock. This also triggered landslides, particularly in Paung Township, Mon state affecting 175 people, and led to at least 75 deaths with around 40 persons reported to still be unrecovered. Many of the affected population have returned home from temporary shelters. While the immediate threat to lives is no longer present, significant needs remain among the most vulnerable such as support for food, water, hygiene and sanitation, health and shelter. As of the reporting period, heavy rains persist and flood warnings are consistently being issued by Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), particularly in southern Myanmar. The situation needs to be monitored closely throughout the monsoon and cyclone seasons which are expected to last until October 2019. (IFRC, 24 Sep 2019)

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