Nearly 500 homes in the Magwe Division town of Taungdwingyi have been inundated by flash floods for the fourth time, when operators of a nearby reservoir opened its sluice gates on Thursday to avoid overflow following a period of severe rains.

Local residents in Taungdwingyi said runoff from the Satsatyo mountain stream triggered by heavy rains in the upland forest range to the east of the town forced authorities to order the sluice gates open, causing flooding in the town.

Up to 490 homes in Taungdwingyi were inundated by the floodwater, as deep as four feet in some neighbourhoods, prompting an evacuation of local residents, livestock and personal belongings.

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The Rangoon-Prome highway that stretches through the town was also inundated, causing traffic congestion.

According to residents, the town has been experiencing floods regularly since a local creek became silted up a few years ago. Locals are calling for official assistance, as well as measures to prevent an outbreak of waterborne diseases such as dysentery.