Myanmar villagers plead for medicine and clean water as floods swallow homes

Rising Floods Hit Myanmar

Floodwaters are continuing to rise in parts of Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady Region after a breach in the Ngawun River embankment triggered widespread flooding across several townships.

Footage captured on Thursday shows residents in Nga Thaing Chaung navigating submerged streets by boat, hauling belongings from flooded homes and fleeing to temporary shelters. Rescue workers are seen delivering aid and helping stranded residents and animals to safety.

“Rofs have been submerged in some places. The water has reached over a person and they are drowning. The situation in the city is not very good at the moment. The water is slowly rising now,” said Paing Sitt Mhuu, a member of the Thonkhwa Township Social Relief Association.

He said residents were also running short of medicine, food and clean drinking water.

“The water is not clean anymore. What we need now is medicine, support, food, and the main thing is water. We need water.”

Residents Need Aid

A resident of Aung Chan Thar Village said medical help had yet to reach some of those trapped by the flooding.

“We have nothing in terms of medicine. The health department has not reached us. We were flooded late and now we are helpless.”

Nga Thaing Chaung has reportedly been underwater for days, with levels still climbing. Rescue workers estimate at least 1,500 people may be affected in the town.

Several emergency shelters have been set up. Around 160 households, or 500 people, are staying at a high school, while another 50 households, or 130 people, are sheltering at a primary school.

Flood Shelters Expand

Around 400 households are also reportedly living in temporary tents on the dam, with another 400 sheltering along the road leading to Nga Thaing Chaung.

Article by Viory