Myanmar evacuates thousands in historic floods

(Baonghean.vn) - On August 12, Myanmar evacuated residents in many areas after landslides collapsed hundreds of houses and heavy rains continued to threaten human and property damage.

Authorities in Hakha, the capital of Chin State in northwestern Myanmar, have evacuated nearly 4,000 people to safety after a landslide damaged 375 homes. At least 103 people have died and more than a million others have been severely affected by the flooding, according to the Myanmar government and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. It is the worst natural disaster to hit Myanmar since Cyclone Nargis killed nearly 140,000 people in May 2008.

Five of the six towns in Hakha, with a population of about 50,000, were affected by landslides and 900 houses were at risk of serious damage. "We are currently evacuating residents, with immediate priority given to those whose houses were completely damaged," an official said. Another 3,000 people from nearby villages have also been moved to temporary shelters in government buildings and churches.

A young man moves a boat in a flooded village in the Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar. Photo: Reuters

"The risk of landslides is getting more serious, we are trying to find safer shelters for people. At this time, experts are conducting geological surveys to find safer and larger locations so that more people can evacuate," said a Chin state official.

Hakha is about 970 km (600 miles) northwest of Yangon and is one of Myanmar’s least developed regions. The government has declared a flood situation in Chin state and three other disaster-affected areas and appealed for international help. At least 10 countries have donated cash, China has sent a convoy of trucks carrying relief supplies, India and Australia have used military aircraft to deliver food, and the European Union and the United States have pledged relief efforts.

Due to the floods, the Myanmar government postponed the August 10 session of the National Assembly. The session is scheduled to resume on the 18th of this month, which will be the last session before the election in early November.

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)