Severe flooding has devastated Myanmar following the impact of Typhoon Yagi, displacing over 230,000 residents, officials report. The ruling junta has officially requested foreign aid to address the widespread disaster, with the capital, Naypyidaw, among the hardest-hit regions.
The catastrophic floods have resulted in at least 33 confirmed fatalities, according to military sources. Relief camps have been established for those who have lost their homes, as indicated by local state media.
Typhoon Yagi, recognized as Asia’s most powerful storm of the year, has already traversed several nations, including Vietnam, the Chinese island of Hainan, and the Philippines.
Junta leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing, along with other officials, has assessed the rescue and relief operations in the flood-impacted areas, as reported by state outlets. However, independent reports suggest that the death toll may be significantly higher, with some estimates indicating at least 160 fatalities due to flooding and landslides.
Rescue operations are challenged as workers in Taungoo revealed that over 300 individuals are trapped near the Sittaung River. A rescue worker expressed concerns over the insufficient number of boats for rescue efforts.
Experts attribute the increasing intensity and frequency of typhoons and hurricanes to climate change. Rising ocean temperatures allow storms to gather more energy, leading to heightened wind speeds, while warmer air can hold more moisture, resulting in severe rainfall.
Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by a three-year civil war that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced more than 2.6 million people, according to United Nations data.
Currently, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that approximately 18.6 million people in Myanmar require urgent humanitarian assistance. The International Red Cross (ICRC) recently highlighted that many families are struggling with access to clean water, sanitation, and essential healthcare services.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric emphasized the ongoing fears of violence and armed conflict that leave many without the means to support themselves.
