Thousands evacuated as floods hit western Myanmar

Thousands of people have been evacuated as continuous heavy rains have caused floods in several townships in western Myanmar’s Rakhine State, according to the Myanmar Fire Services Department, Report informs referring to Xinhua.

Heavy rains or swollen rivers in many parts of Myanmar in recent days have caused flooding and landslides, forcing residents to relocate, local media reports said.

Photos shared on social media by a local rescue organization showed a section of the Myawaddy-Kawkareik Asia Road in Kayin State collapsed due to heavy rains on August 7.

In Rakhine State’s Mrauk U township, some 1,209 people have been evacuated to safe places such as monasteries and relatives' houses due to heavy rainfall between August 1 and August 7, the department said, adding in Mrauk U township, flood victims included 596 males and 613 females from 246 households.

Buthidaung town and Minbya township of Rakhine State also evacuated local residents from flood-hit areas, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on August 7.

Myanmar’s Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned of flood risks, saying that river levels in several townships are approaching or already exceeding their danger marks.