At least 120 people have died across Myanmar due to flooding and landslides caused by heavy rainfall since the remnants of Typhoon Yagi arrived in the country on Monday. Flooding occurred in the capital Naypyidaw, Shan and Karen states, as well as Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions.
“People did not expect [heavy rains] to come again so soon. There was not enough time to rescue anyone [from the floods],” said a resident of Myawaddy Township in Karen State, located along the Thai-Myanmar border.
At least 60 bodies were recovered after flood waters receded in Kalaw, a hill town popular with tourists located 44 miles (71 km) southwest of the Shan State capital Taunggyi. At least 80 residents remain missing and the death toll is expected to rise.
“No authorities have come [to help us] yet. The locals are taking care of themselves,” said a rescue worker in Kalaw. A resident told DVB that many people remain trapped in their homes and are in need of emergency assistance.
At least six people, including two children, died in Hopong Township, 13 miles (20 km) east of Taunggyi. An unknown number of homes were damaged by landslides.
“We heard the sound of a landslide on the night of September 10, followed by cries for help. However, we could not assist them as the strength of the floodwaters was too strong,” a Hopong Township resident told DVB. Another resident said that rescue teams and officials have not been able to reach the area.
Eighteen members of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) were killed when they were swept away by floodwaters while undergoing military training in Pekon Township, located 98 miles (157 km) south of Taunggyi.
Nineteen people in the capital Naypyidaw and 17 in Mandalay Region also died. The regime claims that it has opened 35 relief camps for flood survivors in Naypyidaw.
Meteorologists warned Myanmar to prepare for more rain and flash floods over the next three days. The storm is expected to arrive in northern Arakan State, southern Chinland, and the upper parts of Sagaing Region on Saturday.
“Around 165 mm [6.5 inches] of rain is expected to fall within the next 24 hours,” Independent meteorologist Win Naing posted on social media.
Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) has issued an extreme weather alert until Sept. 15. “People should be especially cautious of flash floods and landslides, along with the heavy rainfall.”
Typhoon Yagi reached northern Thailand and eastern Myanmar on Monday. It formed in the South China Sea at the end of August and passed through the Philippines to make landfall in Vietnam on Sept. 7, where it killed over 200 people.
The arrival of the remnants of Typhoon Yagi comes as the number of people displaced from their homes due to violence in Myanmar, which has accelerated since the 2021 military coup, has reached nearly 3.3 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), according to the U.N.
The World Food Programme (WFP) stated last month that more than 200,000 people in Myanmar have been impacted by flooding since late June.
