Home » Foreign Affairs News » In pictures: Myanmar floods worsen as government declares emergency
 
SPEED NEWS

In pictures: Myanmar floods worsen as government declares emergency

Sahil Bhalla | Updated on: 13 February 2017, 3:29 IST

If you thought the floods in India were the worst, you need to look beyond the border. Myanmar has been ravaged with more than three feet of rains in the past week. The monsoon rains have subsequently triggered flash floods and landslides.

At least 47 people died and tens of thousands have been affected, according to various media reports. A state of emergency has been declared in the four worst hit areas in the western region. The United Nations has warned that the death toll may rise as aid agencies reach remote areas and take stock of the situation.

2-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

A general view shows a house submerged in floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

3-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

A general view shows a gas station submerged in floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

4-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

A general view shows a gate of a monastery submerged in floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

5-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

A general view shows a house submerged by floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

"At least 217,000 people have been affected." Daw Phyu, Relief and Resettlement Director told Al Jazeera.

Thousands of houses, bridges and roads have been destroyed.

The floodwaters that are brought by the same weather system also killed over 100 people in India in the past ten days.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the opposition leader, went out by boat to visit the evacuated people in Bago, near the captial Yangon on 2 August.

6-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

Flood-affected residents (L) commute through floodwaters on a raft in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

7-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

Flood-affected residents use make-shift rafts to travel through floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

8-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

Flood-affected residents prepare to commute through floodwaters on a raft in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

9-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

Flood-affected residents commute through floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

There was no warning and within a few hours, a lot of houses were under water. "My husband had to get onto the roof as there was no way out," Aye Myat Su, 30, told AFP.

People were seen stranded on rooftops, waiting for rescue boats.

10-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

Flood-affected residents commute through floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

11-Myanmar_Floods_AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

A resident rests in a boat next to floodwaters in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

Cover image caption: A general view shows Kalay city hall inundated with floodwater in Kalay, upper Myanmar's Sagaing region on 3 August, 2015. Relentless monsoon rains have triggered flash floods and landslides, destroying thousands of houses, farmland, bridges and roads -- with fast-flowing waters hampering relief efforts. Photo: AFP/Ye Aung THU

First published: 3 August 2015, 8:12 IST
 
Sahil Bhalla @IMSahilBhalla

Sahil is a sports and tech correspondent on the speed news desk at Catch. A gadget freak, he loves offering free tech support to family and friends. He studied at Sarah Lawrence College, New York and worked previously for Scroll. He selectively boycotts fast food chains, worries about Arsenal, and travels whenever and wherever he can. Sahil is an unapologetic foodie and a film aficionado.