Situation overview:
Monsoon rains and increased water levels in major rivers have caused seasonal floods across five states and six regions including the Union Territory in Myanmar. According to the Government of Myanmar’s Relief and Resettlement Department (RRD) in Nay Pyi Taw, the total cumulative number of people who had been temporarily displaced/evacuated in Magway, Ayeyarwady, Sagaing, Bago, Tanintharyi and Yangon regions as well as in Mon, Kayin and Rakhine states and the Union Territory between 1 and 30 July, was reported to be more than 200,000. At least three people are reported to have died due to flooding.
In some areas, particularly Sagaing and Magway regions, flood waters have receded and people have returned to their homes. As of 1 August, 251 out of 304 evacuation centres across 58 townships in flood-affected areas were closed, including all camps in Sagaing, Magway, Yangon, Rakhine and the Union Territory. As of 1 August, over 74,000 people remained displaced in 53 evacuation centres in five states and regions. This includes over 64,000 people who remain displaced in 15 evacuation centres in Ayeyarwady Region and almost 6,700 people who remain in 22 evacuation sites in Bago Region. Some 2,000 people remain in 10 evacuation camps in Kayin State, while a few hundred people are still staying in temporary evacuation sites in Mon State and Tanintharyi Region.
Response:
The Government of Myanmar continues leading the flood response. RRD and local authorities have been providing assistance including cash to purchase rice and to rebuild/repair houses, drinking water and other non-food relief items such as hygiene and family kits. RRD piloted the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for assessing the situation in flood affected areas in Magway Region during the last week of July. The Myanmar Military is also providing relief assistance and healthcare. Meanwhile, the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) is providing evacuation services and responding to immediate needs in affected townships while INGOs have provided water and sanitation support. UN agencies remain in close contact with local and national authorities and continue to monitor the situation.
Weather outlook:
Myanmar Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported on 3 July that water levels of major rivers have receded below danger levels in almost all areas. Rain will be widespread across states and regions with increased rain in Bago and Tanintharyi regions as well as Kayin and Mon states.
Disclaimer
- UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
- To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.