Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Heavy flooding in Bago and Karen states reported

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Tuesday, 26 July 2011 12:48 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – New areas in Rakhine and Karen states and Bago are flooded now as unseasonably heavy rains have passed over parts of Burma.

Twenty villages in Kawa Township and 18 blocks in Bago have had to use boats to get around in the city after the Bago River overran its banks. Similarly five blocks in Hpa-an city near the Thalyin River were flooded and the residents have taken shelter in nearby schools and monasteries.

Bago flooding has caused townspeople to take to boats to get around. Photo: Mizzima 

Locations that have reported more than 4-foot deep flood water include Kyaukgyisu, Ywathit, Kyauktwinkone, Myothit, Oaksettan, Mazin, Zaiganaing south, Olaysu, Klayani, Kyunthayar, Goungsaykyun, Shwethalyaung and Oaktha Myothit Block No. 7.

“Flood water has been chest-deep for four days and has not yet receded. We cannot cook meals in our home. We need boats for commuting in the city. The electricity power lines are disconnected in the city because of flooding,” a local resident from Oaktha Myothit in Bago told Mizzima.

Social aid groups, monasteries and businessmen have donated meal packets to flood victims to be distributed by township authorities.

At the same time, thousands of acres of farmlands are inundated by floodwater in over 20 villages in Kawa Township including Neikban, Paikyone, Taunggyi, Nabepin, Moe Khaing, Kyartet, Kamar and Kale villages.

“All the farmlands in this area are inundated. They are using boats to go to other villages and for shopping. We could not work for last four days. The floodwater is up to 5-feet deep in our villages,” said a farmer from Kamar Kale village.

Water in Bago has reached 4-feet above ground level in some areas. Photo: Mizzima















Water in Bago has reached 4-feet above ground level in some areas.

Farmers said that they would lose nursery paddy for the second time this year.

“In the first flood, we lost our seedlings and we had to grow a second crop. Now we lost it again. We cannot afford to buy paddy seedlings again,” a villager in Paikyone told Mizzima.

Block No. 1,2,3, 5 and 6 Hpa-an near the Thanlyin River were flooded with about 5-foot deep water. Schools are closed and the flood victims were taking shelter in high schools and the Shweyin Hmyar pagoda. Some have been given assistance by the Social Welfare and Relief Department and Health Department, the flood victims said.

“We cannot stay at our homes since the floors are below the flood water. We are afraid of snakes and other poisonous creatures. Most of the victims are taking shelter in relief camps and are praying for the water to recede soon,” a flood victim in No. 2 block said.

Seven townships flooded by record monsoon rain on July 18 saw water receding.

Meteorologist Dr. Tun Lwin of the Myanmar Climate Change Watch said that there were many record monsoon rainfalls recorded in states and regions.

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