Thousands impacted by flooding in Sagaing and Magway regions

The Chindwin and Ayeyarwady rivers have flooded following heavy rainfall in central Myanmar, causing extensive damage to cropland and affecting thousands living near the riverbanks in six townships, locals said. Since the first week of July, floods have hit villages on the banks of the Ayeyarwady and Chindwin rivers in Sagaing Region’s Kani, Monywa, Salingyi, Chaung-U, and Myaung townships as well as Magway Region’s Yesagyo Township. “In Monywa, many areas are flooded. From higher ground to lower ground, floods have hit. Floods typically occur every six years. This year, because of heavy rainfall, the level of the Ayeyarwady is consistently high,” a Monywa resident said. “And now that the water from this side is flowing into the Ayeyarwady River, it’s raising the water level even more,” he continued, referring to the swollen flow from the Chindwin. “The flooding is happening everywhere along the riverbanks.” In Monywa and Chaung-U townships, nearly 30 villages along the riverbanks have been inundated since July 8. Residents confirmed that Salingyi Township has also experienced flooding since July 4. "To stay above the floodwaters, people sometimes have to sleep on raised structures on the embankments,” residents said. “And people living in two-storey houses have to stay on the upper floors.” “Locals say this is the first time in eight years that flooding has occurred on this scale,” a spokesperson for a local anti-junta resistance force said. “The flooding has impacted thousands of people.” The flooding of the Chindwin River’s banks has damaged large areas of farmland including fields and plantations used to grow beans, sesame, eggplants, and betel nuts, according to locals. "Many of the upland fields—both newly planted and not yet ready for harvest—have been flooded. And the floodwaters have gone down only about six inches from their current level,” the Monywa resident said. The floods have added to the hardships already faced by internally displaced persons sheltering in the affected townships, according to Salingyi Township-based social welfare volunteers who are helping the displaced. Floods have also occurred in Magway Region’s Yesagyo Township at the confluence area near where the Chindwin and Ayewarwady rivers meet, as well as on the Chindwin’s west bank. The Yesagyo Township People’s Defence Organisation (PDO), estimates that the flooding has affected some 150,000 people in approximately 130 villages and 27,000 households. The impacted population occupies approximately a third of the township’s area, according to a statement issued by the Yesagyo Township People’s Administration Organization (PAO). Wai Gyi, the leader of the Township PDO, has said that local PDOs have joined the township’s PAO and humanitarian and natural disaster management team in assisting people affected by flooding in the township, but that more humanitarian aid supplies are needed. "We've provided all the assistance we can within our capacity. However, with such a large population affected, there are still many in need. We've managed to arrange for food and water supplies, but the affected area is so large that many people’s needs are going unfulfilled,” Wai Gyi said. Villagers from flooded areas are taking shelter in multi-storey monasteries and schools, with some gathering in houses on stilts, he added. “As for the crops, a significant portion has been inundated, especially in the confluence area,” Wai Gyi said. “We know many fields that couldn't be harvested in time have been inundated but we don't have exact figures yet.” Around a dozen junta soldiers stationed at the police station in Pa Khan Nge village reportedly left their posts on July 11 due to flooding. According to Wai Gyi, the troops withdrew after water from the river began pooling in their trenches and bunkers at the station, making it impossible for them to stay.

Thousands impacted by flooding in Sagaing and Magway regions

Rising floodwaters have damaged crops, driven villagers to seek shelter in multi-storey buildings, and added to the hardships of displaced people in the six affected townships

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