2015 Myanmar floods
Date16 July 2015 (2015-07-16)–August 2015
Location Myanmar
Deaths103[1][2]

Severe flooding in Myanmar began in July 2015 and continued into September, affecting 12 of the country's 14 states, resulting in about 103 deaths[3] and affecting up to 1,000,000 people.[4] Most of the casualties were reported from the Irrawaddy Delta. Torrential rains that began on 16 July destroyed farmland, roads, rail tracks, bridges and houses,[5] leading the government to declare a state of emergency on 30 July in the four worst-hit regions in the west—Magway Division, Sagaing Division, Chin State and Rakhine State.[6][7]

Myanmar's Ministry of Agriculture reported that more than 1.29 million acres of farm land have been inundated and 687,200 acres damaged. Moreover, 15,239 houses were destroyed, according to OCHA figures.[2]

Background

Cyclone Komen just off the Bangladeshi coast, July 2015

Beginning on 16 July 2015, unusually heavy monsoon rain fell on Myanmar, causing rivers and creeks to overflow with rainwater and flooding low-lying areas around waterways. By August, the flooding was the worst to affect the country for decades. In addition to the higher-than-average rainfall, mismanagement of irrigation projects and deforestation caused by logging have been cited by U Win Myo Thu, head of environmental organization EcoDev, as contributing to the flooding.[8] Cyclone Komen, which struck in late July, also made the situation worse.[9]

Affected areas

Sagaing Division

In Sagaing Division, more than 190,000 acres (77,000 hectares) of farmlands are flooded and 18,000 acres (7,300 hectares) were destroyed.[10] Kalay Township was severely affected by flooding; news reports showed the welcome signboard of the town completely submerged underwater. Kantbalu was also severely affected.[11]

Magway Division

Overspills of Mone and Man creek affected 300 villages as well as town area in Pwintbyu, Sidoktaya and Ngape.[12] Sinbyugyun, a city in Magway Division, was not affected by the flood.

Relief efforts

The government has been accused of responding slowly to the crisis. However, unlike in 2008 during Cyclone Nargis when it refused outside help, this time around the government has sought international aid. The United Nations pledged $9m (£6m) in assistance. The UN's World Food Programme has delivered aid to 82,000 people in the worst hit parts of western Myanmar.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Myanmar flooding: 1 million affected and 100 dead after catastrophic monsoon rains swamp low-lying areas". The Independent. 10 August 2015. Archived from the original on September 25, 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Myanmar Floods – 1 Million Affected, 100 Dead – Crop Damage Increases Fear of Food Shortages". FloodList. 18 August 2015.
  3. ↑ "Myanmar flooding leaves nearly 100 people dead, with about a million others affected". Fox News. 9 August 2015.
  4. ↑ Singh, Angad (6 August 2015). "Flooding in Asia displaces millions; death toll rising rapidly". CNN.
  5. ↑ "Myanmar floods: More than 20 die and many displaced". BBC. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  6. ↑ "Myanmar Declares Disaster Zones to Deal With Dire Flooding". ABC News. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  7. ↑ "Myanmar flooding leaves dozens dead". BBC News. 3 August 2015.
  8. ↑ "Flooding Spurs Disaster Zones in Myanmar". New York Times. August 1, 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "Flooding Kills 27 in Myanmar". VOA. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  10. ↑ "Sagaing farming woes deepen". Eleven Media Group. August 2, 2015. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Words about flooding". Eleven Media Group. August 1, 2015. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Eleven States and Regions among 14 States and Regions suffer worst flooding in Myanmar's history, criticisms over weakness in providing aid assistance and effective preventive measures by government". Eleven Media Group. August 1, 2015. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  13. ↑ Jayalakshmi, K. (10 August 2015). "Myanmar floods leave a million affected as death toll passes 100". International Business Times.
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