Myanmar, Flooding in Taunggoo District

TAUNGGOO- As water level in Myole Creek in Kyaukgyi Township, Taunggoo District, Bago Region increased again since yesterday morning, some houses from lower areas nearby the creek were evacuated to safer places, according to the local administrative department. “As torrential rain continuously poured down in Taunggoo District, water level in Kyaukgyi creek increased again. That’s why we transferred nine households situated in the lower part to the downtown monastery temporarily with aid from the Kyaukgyi Township,” said Tin Sein, Bago Ward Administrator. Due to the rising water levels at Sittoung River and Myole Creek in Kyaukgyi Township since last week of July, a total of 664 households comprising 2,980 members from five of downtown wards and 19 villages are now temporarily taking shelter in flood relief camps and Civic and social organizations and authorities provided food and drinking water to them. As water level gradually decreased since the end of July, flood relief centers were closed on August 8th. However, heavy rain fell in Kyuakgyi Township in the morning of August 20th and water level in Myole creek had increased again. So, about 11 households together with 54 members were evacuated to the monastery. “During the first floods, we helped 91 households comprising 432 members of flood victims by opening flood relief camps. On August 8th, the family members from relief camps moved back to their houses. At present, 54 flood victims are taking shelter in monastery due to torrential rain that occured in the evening of August 19th,” said Tin Sein. As increasing water levels at Sittaung River and Myole Creek in Kyaukgyi Township, in July’s last week, totaling 37,009 acres of monsoon paddy plantations were flooded and about 17,000 acres were also damaged while 45 schools were closed temporarily. Later, the Kyaukgyi flooding caused dams to overflow and break.