Due to typhoon Yagi in the South China Sea and a small storm in the Bay of Bengal, continuous rainfall and flooding have caused major innundation in various parts of Myanmar. This could be the first time in history that the country has been impacted by such extensive floods that inundated many villages and towns in many states and regions concurrently.
The torrential rain has caused water levels in creeks and rivers to rise, dams to overflow, drains to spill over onto roads, resulting in major flooding, loss of life, destruction of homes and livelihoods and considerable economic losses. The eastern side of Nay Pyi Taw greater region was submerged in water, a fact totally unheard of in the past. Rescuers were still trying to reach the Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State, totally engulfed in water.Taung Ngu city was inaccessible for two weeks in September due to floods. Flood has subsided in Keng Tong and Tachileik in easter Shan State near Thai border, leaving muds as thick as half an adult height covering the houses, vehicles and motor bikes. Yangon Mandalay expressway was completely cut off around 340 mile marker near Mandalay for nearly a week due to an overflow from surrounding farmlands and swamps. One of the worse affected could be Kalaw, where the speed of the downpour and floods causes landslides and buried people and houses altogether. Our favourite destination Inn Lay was not spared either. The accumulation of torrent waters from the mountains surrounding the famous lake, resulted in significant rise in water levels across the lakes, causing the houses on stilts to collapse and even the floating farms to be swept away across the lake. Most of the houses are under water now, with only the roofs being visible from afar. Even the AA (Arakan Army) controlled Rakhine state was not spared either. A good portion of the land area controlled by AA is inundated now; help is out of the question on the government side due to safety and security issues, yet not forthcoming from the rebels either.
The flood has damaged roads, bridges, houses, departmental buildings, schools, and other structures. Initial assessment by the government stated that at least 160,000 homes have been flooded in 56 townships across the land (there are altogether 330+ townships in the whole country). Around 500 relief camps have been set up by regional and state governments and charitable organisations. The death toll has been counted as 230 being killed and 80 missing last of middle of September. Furthermore is expected as search and rescue missions started to recover the victims of the landslides. The damage also included 117 departmental offices and buildings, 1,040 schools, 386 religious buildings, roads, bridges, power towers, and telecom towers.
Nearly 130,000 farm animals have died, and 643,081 acres of paddy and other crops have been damaged, based on mid month assessment of the damage so far. The vegetable prices have suddenly shot up, due to the disruption of logistics from the vegetables producing southern Shan state to Yangon. Fuel in affected areas were inaccessible, causing the hyperinflation of 300-500% on a litre bottle of petrol or diesel. Most of the hotels on the banks of Inn Lay lake were flooded too, possibly rendering them inhabitable at least for the upcoming season, even if the owners have spare cash to repair the damages. 
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Floods in China, Vietnam, Laos due to this typhoon is equally devastating. But for a poorer country relying on agriculture, the damage to the economy can be exponential.
Government’s human and financial resources are already stretched. Private donations poured in to help the flood victims, with a parallel increase in Facebook frauds taking advantage of this tragedy to defraud people in the context of collecting donations. With the widespread use of k-pay, even a donation by a hundred can enrich the fraudster temporarily.
Government is now organising private donations using designated units and departments. In a recent private donation drive, the government managed to collect more than 33 billion Kyats (~$6.5 million) from private individuals and companies, bringing a rare occasion to smile about for the Senior General.
Yet, help is hard to come by in places where it is needed most. Everyday over social media, people posted videos of their plight, hoping and asking for assistance. People close to MI has visited Inn Lay on the 3rd week of September and no government officials are in sight, when they distributed jerry cans of drinking water to the affected communities.
International aid has also poured in meanwhile.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is launching an emergency food aid operation this week to assist around 500,000 flood-hit people in Myanmar. WFP has been offering flood relief aid since July, and the scale of its operations will now be significantly expanded. The organisation plans to distribute one month’s worth of emergency food supplies, including rice, fortified biscuits, and nutritional support, to about 500,000 flood-battered people, meeting their immediate needs.
“This flood, caused by Super Typhoon Yagi, is one of the worst in Myanmar’s modern history. Large parts of the country are submerged, and in some areas, it is the first time in decades they have experienced such flooding. The impact on food security is severe. Even before the floods, more than 13 million people in Myanmar were already facing food shortages in August. Our staff teams are working swiftly to meet these growing needs,” said its local chief.
European Union has also donated 2 million Euros as flood relief aid.
India has also despatched a navy ship full of 10 tons of supplies to Myanmar in mid September.
China is also on the verge of sending in supplies, according to the sources from the Embassy.
Korea association here has also donated 200 million kyats for flood relief.
Singapore has also sent an air force plane full of bottled drinking water and other supplies in recently. Obviously, used plastic bottles might become a waste disposal issue later on.
Japan has also donated some nominal amount to the government.
The obvious invisibility is the NNCP terrorists and EAO groups. When the push comes to shove, they have no plans to help the people that they claim to serve and represent. Or, as Trump would proudly said, ‘They have concepts of a plan’. They collected funds across the world to do anti government activities and along the way, enriched themselves with millions. When people really needed them, they stood so small!
