Massive Flooding in Myanmar Worsens as Death Toll Doubles, UN Warns of Scale of Devastation
The death toll from severe flooding in Myanmar has risen to 226, doubling the previous total, after Typhoon Yagi caused widespread destruction across the region. The United Nations (UN) has warned that as many as 630,000 people could require assistance in the aftermath of the disaster.
Yagi, a powerful storm with strong winds and heavy rain, swept across northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar over a week ago, triggering floods and landslides that have already claimed over 500 lives. According to official figures, state TV in Myanmar confirmed the latest death toll, with 77 people still reported missing.
The floods have had a devastating impact on the region, with nearly 260,000 hectares of rice paddies and other crops destroyed. More than 150,000 homes were inundated, and over 400 relief camps have been set up to provide shelter for those affected. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has issued a warning that food, drinking water, shelter, and clothing are all urgently needed to help those displaced by the disaster.
Blockaded roads and damaged bridges are hindering relief efforts, and poor communication with remote areas has meant information about casualties has been slow to come in. Despite these challenges, the junta in Myanmar has made a rare appeal for international aid, with India responding by sending 10 tons of essential supplies.
Severe flooding is not uncommon in Myanmar, with incidents in 2011, 2015, and 2008 resulting in significant loss of life. The latest disaster has highlighted the need for more extensive humanitarian assistance, with the UN urging the international community to provide more resources. Myanmar’s military has, in recent years, often blocked or frustrated humanitarian assistance from abroad, including in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha last year.
The region is still grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, and the scale of the destruction is becoming clearer. Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, including in Thailand, where jetskis were used to rescue those stranded by flooding. In Vietnam, 292 people have lost their lives, and over 230,000 homes and 280,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed.
The financial cost of the disaster is also estimated to be significant, with the strongest typhoon to hit northern Vietnam in decades causing 40 trillion dong ($1.6 billion) in economic losses, according to the government’s initial assessment.
