Deepshikha Maan, Jadetimes Staff
D. Maan is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Asia
The number of deaths in Myanmar has exceeded 220 after the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi
The military administration reports that the death toll in Myanmar has exceeded 220 following Typhoon Yagi, with around 80 individuals still unaccounted for. In early September, a formidable storm ravaged northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, causing widespread devastation in the area. According to official sources, the storm has caused major floods and mudslides that have resulted in the deaths of over 500 individuals in these countries.
In Myanmar, the storm resulted in extensive destruction, destroying whole villages and causing the deaths of a minimum of 226 people. However, the ongoing rescue operations have been hindered by blocked highways, damaged bridges, and broken communication lines, therefore posing significant challenges to relief efforts. An estimated 630,000 people have been impacted by the floods, which covers nine states and regions in the country, including the capital Naypyidaw and the Irrawaddy River basin, the largest waterway in the nation, according to the United Nations (UN).
Furthermore, apart from the significant loss of human lives, the floods have also wrecked vast expanses of agricultural land, raising apprehensions about food scarcity in the already devastated nation. An estimated 500,000 people in Myanmar are in immediate need of food, drinking water, shelter, and clothing, according to the United Nations. Mandalay in the north, Magway in the west, Bago in the south, and Shan, Mon, Kayah, and Kayin states are among the areas that have been severely affected by the floods.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war since 2021, at which point the military took control, toppling the democratically elected state. A multitude of armed resistance groups persist in their struggle against the governing military junta, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of millions. A combination of the unstable political climate and the extensive destruction wrought by the floods has posed challenges for humanitarian organisations in reaching many afflicted areas.
In Shan State, predominantly under the occupation of a rebel force, a volunteer rescuer has documented the complete submersion of entire residences due to mudslides. "So far, we have successfully retrieved more than 100 corpses, encompassing both children and Senior citizens," stated the rescuer. "Our ongoing search encompasses over 200 additional individuals."
Furthermore, inhabitants in other areas, such as Kayin State (previously known as Karen State) in the southeast, are also experiencing severe circumstances. Khon Matia, a top authority in the region, stated that there is a pressing need for food among the people. "International aid is not available, and the floods and ongoing conflict have obstructed access to numerous areas, so providing assistance very challenging."
Unusually, the governing military dictatorship sought international assistance during the weekend. India has been the sole nation to provide assistance, including food, clothing, and medicine, to support the relief operations thus far.
Ten fatalities were recorded in Thailand and one in Laos as a result of the extensive damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in adjacent nations. A total of 292 lives have been lost in Vietnam due to the storm, while 38 individuals remain unaccounted for. The hurricane resulted in significant destruction of over 230,000 residences and ravaged 280,000 hectares of agricultural land, greatly affecting the country's primary industrial centers.
The floods in Myanmar are regarded as among of the most severe in the country's recent past, and the complete magnitude of the destruction is still evolving. Aid organisations are still facing difficulties in accessing affected regions due to restricted entry, while the country confronts the simultaneous issues of a natural catastrophe and a persistent civil war.
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