Myanmar: Flood Situation Report #2, 20 September 2024

Highlights

• Ten days after the extensive flash flooding, emerging reports of impact indicate that an estimated 887,000 people, including displaced people, have been affected in 65 townships across Bago, Kayah, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Nay Pyi Taw, Rakhine, Sagaing and eastern and southern Shan regions/states.
• So far, more than 300 fatalities and nearly 100 injuries have been reported. The most severely affected areas remain in devastation, with widespread destruction to homes, household assets, water sources, and electricity infrastructure. Roads, bridges, communication networks, schools, public service facilities, religious sites, and crops and farmlands have been severely damaged or completely collapsed.
• Amid severe underfunding of the response – the 2024 Humanitarian Needs & Response Plan remains 27 per cent funded – OCHA and the Humanitarian Coordinator (HC) a.i. are actively fundraising to mobilize additional resources to quickly scale-up ongoing flood response efforts.
• The Emergency Relief Coordinator, a.i. has provisionally approved a CERF allocation of up to US$4 million to help kick-start emergency relief efforts.
• Rapid response efforts continue in the affected townships, delivering critical support to impacted communities. Urgent needs include drinking water, food, essential medicine, household kits, clothing, shelter, and lifesaving equipment for emergency preparedness.
• Funding and unrestricted access to affected areas are crucial for humanitarian organisations to effectively respond to the needs of impacted communities.

Situation Overview

Ten days after the onset of pervasive flash flooding, reports of the impact from affected areas continue to surface. Floodwaters have receded in most regions, allowing communities to begin cleanup efforts. The most severely affected areas remain devastated, with widespread damage to homes, household assets, water sources, and electricity connections.

In addition, critical infrastructure and public properties, including roads, bridges, communication networks, schools, public service facilities, religious sites, and crops and farmlands, have been collapsed and damaged.

Latest reports indicate that an estimated 887,000 people, including those displaced by the conflict, have been affected by flooding across 65 townships in Bago, Kayah, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Mon, Nay Pyi Taw, Rakhine, Sagaing, and eastern and southern Shan regions/states. The most affected areas so far, in order, are Mandalay Region, southern Shan, eastern Bago, Kayin State, and Nay Pyi Taw. Many have been evacuated to safer locations based on the severity of the situation in their areas. Rapid response efforts are ongoing in the affected townships, providing critical support to impacted communities. The initial requests for emergency support have highlighted the urgent need for drinking water, food, basic medicine, household kits, clothing, and shelter.

• In Mandalay Region, one of the hardest hit areas, water levels in most of the flooded villages have receded as of 18 September, and communities have begun cleaning up. However, returning to their homes, particularly in submerged villages, remains a challenge. There are growing health concerns due to the lack of accessible clean water. More than 230 people from 15 affected villages have been reported dead, and 50 individuals have been hospitalized at Yamethin Hospital. Many flood victims in Myitthar Township reside in highland areas, living in temporary makeshift shelters and pagodas. Emergency assistance and rescue efforts have been challenging to reach them, and there is an urgent need for food and healthcare services.
• In eastern and southern Shan, flooding and landslides have affected 26 townships, resulting in at least 78 reported fatalities and 47 individuals sustaining injuries.
• In Bago Region, one of the hardest-hit areas, more than 100,000 people have been severely affected across Bago, Htantabin, Oktwin, Phyu, Taungoo, and Yedashe townships. This includes thousands of individuals in conflictaffected areas that require humanitarian assistance. Villages along the Sittaung River remain flooded and hazardous, while other areas have seen the floodwaters recede.
• Mon and Kayin states have also been impacted by flooding and landslides. Nearly 90,000 people across four townships in Kayin and 11,950 people in three townships in Mon have been affected. Several relief centers remain in Kayin, where many people have begun returning home.
• In Nay Pyi Taw, more than 72,000 people in Pyinmana, Poke Ba Thi Ri, Tatkon and Zay Yar Thi Ri townships have been affected by flooding.
• In Chin State, strong winds and torrential rains have destroyed 180 acres of farmlands and damaged water pipelines. Due to floodwaters and landslides, transportation routes between Falam and Kale and Mindat and Matupi townships remain disrupted.
• In the Sagaing Region, agricultural lands in Chaung-U, Myaung, and Myinmu townships were flooded, damaging some crops.
• In the Magway Region, reports show that more than 26,000 houses were damaged or washed away, and an estimated 50,000 acres of agricultural lands were flooded. Several bridges and road sections were damaged or destroyed, affecting access to impacted communities and complicating response efforts.
• In Kayah State, more than 6,500 people have been affected in Demoso, Hpruso, and Shadaw townships. Flooding and landslides have caused significant destruction to livestock, farmland, and civilian properties. Over 48,000 acres of paddy and other crops have been submerged, with an estimated 5,000 paddy fields damaged across the state.
• In Rakhine State, more than 40,000 people, including those displaced by the conflict, have been affected by flooding in Minbya, Mrauk-U, and Toungup townships.