DUE to floods in Myitkyina, Kachin State, social aid groups and fire brigades have been rushing to evacuate victims to safe areas, according to local social aid groups.
The upper reaches of the Ayeyawady River have been experiencing heavy rains for several days, causing the water level to rise and flooding villages along the river, including Myitkyina.
After receiving information that the Ayeyawady water level rose and flooded Legon, Kyetpaungchan and Rampu villages of Myitkyina from about 8 am on 30 June, permanent firefighters and auxiliary members from Myitkyina township began a search and rescue operation, and water level continued to rise more on 1 July.
“Myitkyina is flooded. Some are trapped. Many people are asking the group for help. Some houses are now underwater. We are now evacuating and relocating property. As Kyetpaungchan and Rampu are close to the river, water is constantly coming in via ditches. The water level is still rising. These are the main flooded areas. All the people from social aid groups, Parahita groups and fire brigades are helping in different areas. That is only happening in Myitkyina. Right now, it is not very dangerous. Water is rising, but we don’t know what happens in the evening. If it rises more, it can be dangerous,” said an official from a social aid group.
According to the statement of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on 1 July, for the first ten days of July, rising Ayeyawady water level forecasts include six to 10 feet in Myitkyina, Bhamo, Shwegu, Katha, Thabeikkyin, Mandalay, Sagaing and Myinmu, and 10 to 12 feet in Pakokku, NyaungU, Chauk, Minbu, Magway, Aunglan and Pyay, four to five feet in Seiktha, Hinthada and Zalun, while other forecasts include rising Chindwin water level of eight to 13 feet in Khamti, Homalin, Phaungpyin, Mawlaik, Kalewa, Mingin, Khamti and Monywa, rising Myittha water level of 5.5 feet in Kalay, rising Dokhtawadi water level of one to three feet in Shwesayan and eight feet in Myitnge, rising Sittoung of two to three feet in Toungoo and Madauk, two feet of Shwegyin in Shwegyin, 2.5 feet of Thaungyin in Myawady, one to three feet of Ngawun in Ngathainggyoung, Thaboung and Pathein, two feet of Toe in Maubin, and 3.5 feet of Bilin in Bilin.
MT/ZN
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