Natural disasters take a heavy toll this year
Government officials announced on Monday that 82 people have been killed and about 200,000 displaced by landslides and flooding in Myanmar since June 25. Another 49 people were injured.
20 Aug 19 - Source: Myanmar Times - Mon State was the worst-hit area in the country, said an official from the Department of Disaster Management.
The massive landslide that struck Thaphyu Kone village in Paung township in Mon killed at least 73 people and injured 48.
Some 4000 villagers near the site of the disaster were evacuated to safer ground and emergency teams have recovered 69 bodies, the official added.
The department provided rice and other relief items to the families of the victims.
The landslide is said to have been the worst natural disaster in recent memory in Mon.
Due to the heavy rainfall, widespread flooding and landslides, the department has provided relief items and humanitarian assistance totaling about K404.6 million and received about K105.7 million in donations for the victims around the country.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) has had a flood warning in effect since July 10 for people living near the Ayeyarwady, Bilin, Laymyo, and Chindwin rivers. The monsoon this year has brought torrential rainfall in parts of the country since late June.
The DMH also warned that water levels in the Sittaung, Shwe Kyin and Thanlwin rivers are nearing danger levels and heavy rainfall is forecast in Nay Pyi Taw, Kachin, Kayin and Mon in the coming days.
"Coastal areas will receive more rain till late in the monsoon," said DMH Director General U Kyaw Moe Oo.
Flood relief centres in Chin, Rakhine, Kachin, Ayeyarwady, Sagaing and Yangon have now been closed as water levels have dropped, but they remain open in Bago, Kayin, Mon, Tanintharyi, Magwe and Mandalay.
People affected by floods or other natural disasters can call the department at 06 7340 4666 or 06 7340 4777 for assistance.
