UN warns Myanmar flood toll likely to increase
The toll from flooding and landslides after days of torrential rain is likely to rise, the United Nations has warned, as monsoon downpours brought misery to thousands across the region.
At least 21 people have been killed and more than 150,000 affected by flooding across 12 states and regions in recent days, with the government declaring the four worst-hit areas – Rakhine and Chin states and Magwe and Sagaing regions – as “national disaster-affected regions” on 31 July.
A total of 17,554 have been displaced, according to official figures from the Department of Relief and Resettlement.
However, the figures only date to 31 July, and flooding has expanded dramatically in recent days, particularly in Rakhine State and Magwe and Bago regions. The statistics are also incomplete, with no reports having yet filtered in from some regions.
