Editor’s note: In the Sept. 9 edition of the Daily Briefing newsletter we mistakenly cited that 620,200 military personnel had been killed since the ‘People’s Defensive War’ was declared by the National Unity Government on Sept. 7, 2021. The correct number shared with us by the NUG Press Office is 40,008 as of July 31. We regret the error.
UN states over 600,000 impacted by flooding
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has documented that flooding has impacted an estimated 631,000 people across nine states and regions. Over 300 people have been killed due to flooding and landslides since the remnants of Typhoon Yagi arrived in the country on Sept. 9.
“Heavy rains caused by the monsoon season and remnants of Typhoon Yagi have led to severe flooding in multiple states and regions across Myanmar. There has been significant damage to road networks, transportation, telecommunications and electricity in affected areas,” UNOCHA stated in its flood situation report on Monday.
It added that most areas affected by flooding remain submerged. Regime media reported on Tuesday that a total of 226 people have been killed and 77 others are still missing. Both the military regime in Naypyidaw and the National Unity Government (NUG) in exile have requested international aid to Burma.
Bangkok and Naypyidaw coordinate relief efforts
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa held talks with the regime’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Than Swe on Monday. They reportedly agreed to find ways to minimize the impact of flooding in their respective countries and the region.
Maris told Thai media that Burma has been impacted by severe flooding due to heavy rainfall and other water flowing from the mountains into the Thanlyin (Salween) River. He said that Thailand is seeking to propose further cooperation over water management through the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, established in 2016 between the six riparian states of the Lancang and Mekong rivers.
The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation consists of Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, and China and seeks to foster greater economic cooperation within the Mekong region. Northern Thailand has also been heavily impacted by flooding and landslides caused by rainfall from the remnants of Typhoon Yagi.
Nearly 1,700 arrested for criticizing military since 2021 coup
Data for Myanmar has documented that nearly 1,700 civilians have been arrested for criticizing the military regime as well as expressing support for pro-democracy groups and anti-coup resistance groups online since February 2022.
“Most of the people are from Yangon and Mandalay regions and were arrested because of their posts on Facebook,” Data for Myanmar stated in its latest report. It added that 36 percent of the total 1,700 arrested are women. This year, 202 have so far been arrested. In 2023, 615 were arrested. In 2022, 874 people were arrested.
The regime blocked access to Facebook and other websites following the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021. It restricted access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which netizens use to access Facebook, on May 30. Access Now, a digital rights group, has documented that the regime imposed at least 37 internet shutdowns in 13 states and regions in 2023.
News by Region
BAGO—Rescue workers recovered seven bodies of flood victims in Taungoo Township, located 134 miles (216 km) north of the Bago Region capital on Monday. Tens of thousands of residents displaced from their homes by flooding have been relocated to 36 relief centers in Taungoo.
“We have never experienced such a flood in the t0wn’s history. Almost every neighborhood is submerged,” a Taungoo resident told DVB. Flooding is also still impacting residents in Shan and Karen states.
ARAKAN—The military has evicted more than 400 residents from two villages near the Arakan State capital Sittwe since Saturday. “The military wants to deploy in the villages to prepare its defenses [against the Arakan Army – AA], but they have not prepared any place to relocate the villagers. People are now in need of food and shelter,” a Sittwe resident told DVB.
Residents claimed that the military has evicted residents of at least 15 villages in Sittwe Township since the AA launched its offensive on Nov. 13. The military has been building fences and other fortifications around Sittwe in preparation for a possible AA attack since early August.
MANDALAY—Business owners stated that they have been threatened by a group online claiming to represent the Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF), and other resistance groups, since Sept. 10. Business owners told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the group ordered them to send a minimum payment of 100,000 kyat.
“We have never made such threats or demands. It’s clear that the military regime is trying to tarnish the image of the revolution,” an MPDF spokesperson told DVB. He added that resistance groups which engage in blackmail will be prosecuted under the National Unity Government (NUG) Code of Conduct.
SHAN—Hopong Township residents told DVB that 21 bodies have been recovered and around 30 people are still missing since heavy rains on Sept. 11 caused flooding and landslides in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone of southern Shan State. Residents added that they have not yet received any help.
“We have not been able to contact each village as there are landslides,” a Hopong resident told DVB. Telecommunication services are currently unavailable in the township. More than 110 homes were destroyed and over 1,000 residents have sought temporary shelter in neighboring villages. They are in urgent need of food, kitchenware, medicines and mosquito nets.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 5,100 kyat)
