Myanmar’s death toll from massive flooding in the midst of Typhoon Yagi has increased to 226, according to UN warnings that up to 630, 000 individuals may need assistance.
More than a year ago, Yagi swept across northeastern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, causing floods and landslides that have claimed more than 500 lives, according to official statistics.
State TV in junta-ruled Myanmar confirmed 226 fatalities late on Monday ( Sep 16 ), with 77 people still missing, doubling the previous toll of 113.
Additionally, the journalist claimed that roughly 260 000ha of grain paddocks and other vegetation had been destroyed by storms.
An estimated 631, 000 people were impacted by flooding in Myanmar, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs ( UNOCHA ) disaster response agency.
Foods, drinking water, shelter and clothing are all desperately needed, UNOCHA said, warning that broken contact lines, blocked roads and damaged bridges were all greatly hampering relief efforts.
Poor communications, especially with rural areas, have even meant knowledge about casualties has been slower to come out.
The UN’s World Food Programme on Monday said the storms were the worst in Myanmar’s new story, without giving specific information.
Serious flooding hit the country in 2011 and 2015, with more than 100 incidents reported on both occasions, while in 2008 Cyclone Nargis left more than 138, 000 people dead or missing.