Thousands of people have been evacuated to safe ground after flash floods triggered by continuous rainfall hit some townships in the Mon and Karen (Kayin) states over the last few days, according to the State Department of Disaster Management.
Local residents started evacuating in the evening of July 22 after the river level of the Bilin River rose in Bilin Township of Thaton District in the Mon State due to heavy rainfall since July 22.
Up to 1,043 people have been relocated to a relief camp on July 24 after Kan Thar Yar Ward, Boe Yarzar Ward, Sayar Ward, and Boe Hla Gyi Ward in Bilin town and Yan Pyay Village and Mae Lan Gaung Village of Mae Lan Village Group became inundated.
“Seven relief camps have been currently opened. The total count [of flood victims] is 1,043 up to today. It has been drizzling up to this evening. The water hasn’t receded yet. More people arrived today. The main reason is flash flood from the river due to heavy rain. It doesn’t happen with regular rain. It happened because of heavy rain,” said U Si Thu Soe, head of Thaton District Department of Disaster Management.
Ye resident U Aung Naing Win said 657 people from 159 households from Ye have been relocated to a stadium in the town after Yan Gyi Aung Ward and Yan Myo Aung Ward became flooded on July 24.
Myawaddy, Hlaingbwe, and Hpa-an townships in the Karen State have been hit with record-breaking floods this week after continuous rain caused the level of the Than Lwin River and Thaung Yin River to rise.
Around 5,000 people from over 1,000 households have been taking shelter at 19 relief camps in the three townships, according to the State Department of Disaster Management.
According to the observation at 2:30 pm on July 25, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology announced that the water level of the Than Lwin River has exceeded by about three feet in Hpa-an above its danger level. It may remain above its danger level during the next two days.
The department advised the people living near the river banks and low lying areas in Hpa-an Township to take precaution measure.
The department estimates continuation of heavy rain in the Mon and Karen states within the next two days.
Three people died and over 7,000 people were evacuated from record-breaking flooding triggered by heavy rain in seven townships in the Mon State on June 17.
