Rakhine State floods kill three, affect over 70 wards as meteorologist warns of worst flooding in 20 years

Severe flooding and widespread road closures triggered by heavy monsoon rains have killed at least three people and affected more than 70 wards and villages across Rakhine State as of 9 July, according to local sources and the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO). The flooding has hit townships across the state, including Mrauk-U, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, and Sittwe in the north, and Ann, Thandwe, and Taungup in the south, local sources said. A local source told Mizzima that roads in the Ann area are submerged and impassable. The Ann-Sittwe road is closed in three locations, and the route from Ann to Tat Taung Myaing is impassable at three points, cutting off vehicles traveling from southern townships — Thandwe, Taungup, Mae Ei, and Ramree — to northern townships including Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U. Strong currents on the Lay Myo River have worsened flooding in low-lying areas in recent days, damaging bridges and roads and destroying farmland. A Kyauktaw resident told Mizzima that while heavy rainfall and flooding occur most years, this year’s monsoon is particularly severe, with homes in low-lying areas completely submerged and residents evacuating to safer ground. HDCO reported on 9 July that three people have died in the flooding, alongside road and bridge damage, landslides, and riverbank erosion. Meteorologist Win Naing warned that Sittwe, Maungdaw, and Kyauktaw could see extremely heavy, continuous rainfall for three days. He had said on 8 July that Rakhine State could face its worst flooding in 20 years, with severe flash floods and river overflows beginning 10 July and potentially continuing for two weeks. Separately, HDCO reported that a tornado on 5 July damaged approximately 240 homes and other structures in Kyaukphyu, Ramree, Taungup, Thandwe, and Gwa townships. Rainfall has increased across Myanmar since early July, causing widespread flooding, landslides, riverbank erosion and strong winds nationwide. The post Rakhine State floods kill three, affect over 70 wards as meteorologist warns of worst flooding in 20 years appeared first on ENG.MIZZIMA.COM.