Many townships in Sagaing affected by floods, in need of assistance

Photo: Floods in townships in Sagaing Region. Many townships in Sagaing Region, which has been suffering from military junta's airstrikes and battles for years, are experiencing floods, forcing residents and displaced persons to evacuate in the first week of August, according to local sources. (CJ) August 8 Mizzima. Many townships in Sagaing Region, which has been suffering from military junta's airstrikes and battles for years, are experiencing floods, forcing residents and displaced persons to evacuate, according to local sources. Currently, floods are occurring in townships along the Mu River, including Ye-U, Kin-U, Tanse, Kanbalu, Kyun Hla, Shwebo, Deibyin, A Hrat Taw, Kawlin, Wetlet, and Minmu. As a result, tens of thousands of residents have been affected by the floods and are being displaced. Four displacement camps located in the eastern part of Tanse and on the border of Ye-U and Tanse are also at the same water level as the Mu River, and tents, cattle, and bullock carts of the displaced persons have been swept away by the current, according to local residents. "In the upper Sagaing region, in Kawlin and Katha districts, it has been raining continuously, causing rivers to overflow and increasing the inflow into the Saphankse Dam. In the Kawlin area, large streams like the Daungmyu stream are experiencing a huge surge of water. This water flows into the Mu River. The Mu River also has a very large volume of water. The Mu River flows into the Saphankse Dam. Since the Saphankse Dam was built by blocking the Mu River, the Mu River downstream of the dam has a very high water level," a ground source in Sagaing Region told Mizzima. A local official said that from August 4, heavy rains in the upper Sagaing region caused rivers and streams to swell, leading to the diversion of excess water from the Saphankse Reservoir, the Kintat water diversion dam, and the Kabaw Dam into the Mu River, and the rising river water due to heavy rainfall caused an extraordinary rise in the water level of the Mu River and its tributaries. Furthermore, farmlands near the Mu River and its adjacent streams are also submerged. The source also said that as it continues to rain, the Mu River's water level could rise further. Despite these flood-related disasters, local residents said they are also living in fear of attacks by the military junta targeting civilians. On the morning of August 7, the military junta carried out a bombing attack with a suicide drone on the eastern part of Kin-U township, which was already affected by floods. On August 6, an airstrike was carried out on a school in Kanphu village, Wetlet township. "Regarding the relocation, local defense forces and the People's Defence Committees have started to arrange places and carry out rescue operations. Humanitarian organizations are also doing what is necessary. The NUG side is preparing to provide food assistance. However, the flooded areas in each township are very extensive, so the scope of responsibility will be limited for now. It will only be manageable if everyone cooperates and takes responsibility," said a young person involved in the rescue and assistance of flood-affected people on the ground. During the floods, two bridges were swept away by the current. In addition, 10 paddy planters returning from planting were swept away by the rising water while crossing a stream in Chaung Yoe village, Deibyin township, resulting in 6 deaths. The source said that emergency rescue operations are underway in the flood-affected areas, and there is also a shortage of food, medicine, and water. "There are many things needed. Rescue is the priority. Then there is a great need for food, shelter, and medicine," said a Sagaing source. Heavy rainfall continues across the country. In Ayeyarwady Region, the Ngawan River embankment broke, causing floods in Hle-Nut, Hlaingbwe, Hinthada, Yeji, and Ngathainggyaung. In Mandalay Region, the Sedawgyi Dam overflowed, causing floods in villages downstream of the dam in Myitnge township. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo