Myanmar undertakes relief ops in Kachin state following massive flooding

Kachin: Myanmar authorities are undertaking flood relief operations in Kachin state, following a swollen Ayeyarwady River, which has caused widespread damage to public infrastructure, disrupting communication and transport, as well as damaging homes, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

According to the state-owned-Global Light of Myanmar, relief efforts by authorities have been ongoing in the city of Myitkyina since the evening of May 31, with ten flood relief camps assisting 4,020 people from 810 households.

Reportedly, the Ayeyarwady River, had risen by about 10 feet that morning, and remains at 1,105 centimetres — just 95 centimetres below the danger level of 1,200 centimetres—causing huge flooding in low-lying areas.

Supervised by the state government, Kachin’s Chief Minister U Khet Htein Nan inspected the flood relief camps, assessed the efforts of state authorities in carrying out relief work, and reviewed the operational readiness of rescue boats and equipment.In addition, he evaluated arrangements for swift evacuations, and search and rescue operations using boats.

He urged flood relief team, aided by rescue teams from both the police and the military, to continuously monitor the situation, keep communication lines open and inform the public, conduct timely search and rescue operations, and also presented awards to the rescue teams.

He also inspected the flood relief camp at No 12 Basic Education High School in Lekon (Zeelun) Ward, reviewing the conditions of 1,228 evacuated people from 151 households, rallying the public and delivering powerful speeches to the flood victims and provided them with rice, oil, eggs, instant noodles, porridge sachets, and drinking water for their families.

He was later accompanied by Commander of the Northern Command Maj-Gen Aung Zaw Htwe, and senior military officers from the army, air force, and navy.

They collectively looked into the systematic deployment of Tatmadaw (another name for Myanmar Armed Forces) members and firefighters for search and rescue operations, the readiness of rescue boats and vehicles, and the flood rescue camp opened at Aungzay Yanaung Monastery, where over 500 people from 122 households had been relocated.

Myanmar is heavily susceptible to extensive flooding along with its neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam, due to its location in the Bay of Bengal, tropical climate, and lack of infrastructure, leading to extensive pouring of water during the monsoon season.

The Ayeyarwady Delta in particular is a hotspot for flood risk, with all surrounding communities and neighbouring states lying either along rivers or located in low-lying areas being particularly vulnerable.