Damaged bridges, clashes, and funding shortages obstruct rescue efforts
PUBLISHED : 17 Sep 2024 at 12:46
NAYPYIDAW – Typhoon Yagi has wreaked havoc in Myanmar, resulting in at least 226 fatalities and displacing over half a million individuals, compounding the challenges faced by this war-torn nation. The storm is recognized as the most powerful to hit Asia this year.
Intense rainfall has caused rivers and creeks to swell, leading to severe flooding that has damaged infrastructure and destroyed crops across 84 affected townships, including the capital, Naypyidaw. Official data reports over 70 individuals are still missing.
With water inundating more than 158,000 homes and destroying 2,116 others, tens of thousands have sought refuge in 438 relief camps nationwide, as reported by the government.
The catastrophic impact of Typhoon Yagi has prompted a rare plea for foreign assistance from the junta chief. “Officials need to reach out to other countries for rescue and relief aid,” he stated. So far, Myanmar has received 10 tonnes of aid, including food, clothing, and medical supplies from India.
The death toll is expected to rise further, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimating that 631,000 people are affected, with multiple sources indicating hundreds have died and many remain unaccounted for.
In Thailand, heavy rains are likely to persist over the next four days in provinces already ravaged by flooding, resulting in 45 deaths and impacting approximately 28,000 households across 13 provinces since mid-August, according to the disaster prevention department.
Typhoon Yagi also devastated Vietnam, claiming over 350 lives and causing damages estimated at US$1.6 billion, highlighting the intensifying impact of global warming on tropical cyclones.
As evacuation and rescue efforts continue in Myanmar, they are often hindered by damaged infrastructure, ongoing military clashes, and insufficient funding. Officials have stated that a comprehensive damage assessment will be conducted to determine the necessary support.
Myanmar’s meteorological department has issued warnings for residents near riverbanks in three towns to evacuate, as the Sittaung River’s levels have exceeded safe thresholds by approximately five feet. Heavy rains are also forecasted for three provinces, including the conflict-ridden Rakhine State, in the coming 24 hours.
