Five flood-related drownings in Sagaing Region as humanitarian crisis deepens

At least five people, including a child, have drowned in flood-related incidents Sept. 2-8 in Sagaing Region’s Kale Township after being swept away by strong currents or falling into flooded streams. “Most of the deaths occurred in rural areas. These were mountain runoff floods, so the currents were extremely strong. The victims were swept away by the water,” a resident told DVB, adding that the flood water has receded. The victims include a 15-year-old boy and a 55-year-old woman. Both were swept away by strong currents or fell into flooded streams and creeks. Their bodies were later recovered. Kale is located 144 miles (231 km) northwest of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. More than 1,000 Kale residents have sought shelter in temporary flood relief camps. While floodwaters have receded in some wards, many residents displaced from their homes have yet to return due to the damage sustained by roads, “The water has gone down, but people staying at relief camps still cannot return. Rehabilitation efforts have not started yet,” a Kale resident told DVB. The latest flooding comes after at least 23 people were killed and two remain missing due to floods in 11 Sagaing townships since August. This includes Shwebo, Taze, Kanbalu, Ayardaw, Depayin, Kyunhla, Kawlin, Wetlet, Ye-U, Banmauk and Khin-U townships. Sagaing has also faced renewed airstrikes during the floods. At least seven civilians were killed and an unknown number were injured during an airstrike in Ye-U Township’s Tint Tein Yan village on Sept. 7. Ye-U is located 115 miles (185 km) east of Kale and 55 miles (88 km) northeast of Monywa. At least 88 civilians were killed and 157 injured in 239 airstrikes carried out Aug. 8-23, according to the National Unity Government (NUG). Sagaing recorded the highest number of fatalities due to airstrikes with 37 killed during the reporting period. The post Five flood-related drownings in Sagaing Region as humanitarian crisis deepens appeared first on DVB.