Officials say that victims of the flooding are being assisted through the state government’s disaster management fund.
More than a week of continuous heavy rain since the start of the month has caused flooding across large parts of Mon State, leaving more than 11,000 people stranded and in need of emergency assistance, according to state government officials.
As of Saturday, a total of 11,076 people from six townships have been affected by the flooding and are now sheltering in 63 rescue camps, officials said.
The most heavily affected areas are in Thanphyu Zayap, Mudon, Ye, Kyaikmayaw, Thahton, and Beelin townships, where records show that a total of 2,053 houses have been flooded.
State officials said that flood victims have been receiving emergency assistance through the government’s disaster management fund since the flooding began more than a week ago.
“We have been preparing food for flooding victims since last month. That’s why we were able to provide emergency aid immediately. The fund was set up to allow us to assist flood victims effectively,” Zin Min Ko, the deputy director of the Mon State government, told NMG.
Conditions in Mon State deteriorated dramatically on Friday, when a landslide in Thae Phyu Kon, a village in Poung Township, left at least 33 people dead and more than 160 missing. The Mawlamyine-Yangon highway was closed for most of the day to clear sections that were covered in about two feet of mud. The Mawlamyine-Ye road was also damaged by flooding.
Flood victims say that they have received sufficient aid through the combined efforts of the authorities, social rescue teams, civil society organizations, and local people.
“I needed assistance when I arrived at the rescue camp, but everything is OK now. I have what I need. It hasn’t rained today, so I think the water level will go down soon if the rain doesn’t start again. We will wait and see,” said Ohn Khin, a flood victim from Mudon Township.
Because of the flooding, the Mon State government has temporarily closed nearly 400 schools across the state.
On Saturday, the government’s weather forecast department reported that heavy rains were expected again on Sunday in Mon and Karen states and Tanintharyi region.
