Phakant and some areas in Karen State are flooded, while water recedes in Rakhine

Photo – A scene of flooding in Hlaingbwe Township, Kayin State, this morning. Heavy rains and rising river levels have caused flooding in Phakant, Kachin State, and some areas in Kayin State, while water levels are receding in Rakhine State, which had been experiencing floods for nearly a week, according to local residents. (Naing Linn Aung) YT, Yaung Ni (July 13) Mizzima. Heavy rains and rising river levels have caused flooding in Phakant, Kachin State, and some areas in Kayin State, while water levels are receding in Rakhine State, which had been experiencing floods for nearly a week, according to local residents. In Myawaddy town, Kayin State, on the Thai-Myanmar border, flooding has been occurring since July 12 due to rising water levels in the Thanlwin River. “The water has receded quite a bit this morning. It’s also because the rain has stopped. However, people have not been allowed to return yet. We have had to open more than 10 temporary shelters, including monasteries,” said an official from a social welfare organization in Myawaddy town. Similarly, in Bilin Township, four low-lying wards are flooded due to the influx of water from the Bilin River, and some villages have also been inundated, with up to nine flood relief camps having to be opened, according to local residents. In Hlaingbwe Township, where the Zami River has risen over 20 feet, residents of the low-lying Ward 6 and areas near the riverbank are being relocated, it is reported. “The rain is still falling. The water has risen quite a lot. Since it rained until this morning, the water is not expected to recede yet. Currently, the low-lying areas, mainly Ward 6, are being evacuated. We can no longer cross the bridge, and the ferries have also been stopped,” a local resident of Hlaingbwe Township told Mizzima this morning. In Phakant town, Kachin State, flooding has been occurring since July 12 due to heavy rains, mountain runoff, and rising water levels in the Uru River. Local residents of Phakant Township had also experienced flooding in June, and are now facing another wave of flooding. In Rakhine State, where flooding occurred due to heavy rains causing rivers to rise starting July 7, water levels have begun to recede since July 12, according to local residents. In Mrauk-U, Minbya, Kyauktaw, and Myebon townships, which experienced flooding, the water level has dropped by at least three feet since yesterday evening, and the main roads are no longer submerged. However, as the rain continues, most residents have not yet returned to their homes and are staying in safe places, continuing to monitor the flood situation. While water levels are receding in many flood-affected areas of Rakhine State, some villages in Gwa Township have started experiencing flooding since today, July 13, due to rainfall and mountain runoff, according to local news outlets. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement (MSLHA) of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced in its weekly weather forecast released today that the monsoon is expected to be strong until July 19, and a low-pressure area may form in the Bay of Bengal. The forecast advises that due to the influence of the low-pressure area and the monsoon, rain may continue across Myanmar, and special caution should be exercised for subsequent floods and landslides. The Meteorology and Hydrology Department under the military council also reissued a heavy rain warning this morning, stating that due to the active monsoon, rain may continue across Myanmar until July 20, with heavy rainfall possible in some areas. Rising river levels also continue, with the Chindwin River at Homalin, the Salween River at Mawlamyine, and the Sittoung River at Madauk exceeding their respective danger levels, and are expected to remain above danger levels for the next day, according to the Meteorology and Hydrology Department. The Ngawan River at Ngathinechaung town was measured at approximately half a foot below its danger level at 6:30 AM today and is expected to reach its danger level within the next 36 hours, according to the department. Meteorological and hydrological departments are urging those living near rivers and in low-lying areas to be cautious of flooding due to heavy rainfall and rising river levels across Myanmar. In addition to floods, the meteorological and hydrological departments are advising caution for travel and activities in flood-prone areas and areas where mountain runoff occurs, as secondary natural disasters such as strong winds and landslides are possible.