Myanmar, Flooding in Okhpo Township

Due to torrential rain that occurred in Okhpo Township, Thayawaddy District, Bago (west), on August 28th, water covered Yangon-Pyi Highway and also flowed into the residential wards in the downtown area of the township, according to the locals. Social and civil organizations have been carrying out rescue activities ever since the amount of floods increased starting yesterday morning. “Water level is gradually rising. The downtown wards faced flooding since yesterday morning. Water has covered the Yangon-Pyi road near Thetyatpin Seik village. The height of water level is over one and half feet on the road. Moreover, Thetyatpin Seik creek are yet to swell up. We help travelers out at the rapids. Some people, like on motorbikes, didn’t dare to cross the water. So, we helped them,” said Tun Thein, Chairman of Dhama Wizaya Social Welfare Association. “We are now carrying out rescue activities as well as providing health care services to the victims. Moreover, we have plans to distribute rice and meals to the flood victims together with Fire Brigade members, Police Force and civic and social organizations. Water level is still rising now. The fire brigade member and General Administrative Department also present at the scene,” said a volunteer carrying out rescue activities. Likewise, the collapse of a spillway channel from Hswar Dam caused flooding in the villages in Yedashe Township, Taungoo District, Bago Region, yesterday morning. Vehicles were trapped in the Yangon-Mandalay Expressway between Hswar and Yedashe Townships. Large amount of water flowed onto old Yangon-Mandalay Road and expressways making traffic jams. A total of 15 out of 31 schools, which were temporarily closed due to rain-triggered floods, reopened in Okpho Township in Thayawady District in Bago West Region. Four schools were closed on August 28, 14 schools on August 29 and ten schools on August 30, according to Okpho Township Education Officer Office. On the evening of August 29, a grade-11 female student went missing due to floods, according to the township education officer office. An official of the Okpho Township Education Officer Office said: “Yesterday, 28 schools were closed. Today, 15 schools were reopened and three schools closed.” On August 27, the township was hit by floods due to heavy downpours. Now, the flood waters have receded.