Deadly floods have struck Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi, forcing over 230,000 people to flee their homes. The country’s junta has requested foreign aid to mitigate the disaster’s impact.
The capital, Naypyidaw, is among the worst-hit areas, with at least 33 people killed, according to the military. State-run media reports that temporary relief camps have been set up for homeless victims.
This year, Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm, has already swept through Vietnam, China’s Hainan island, and the Philippines. Junta chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing and other officials visited flooded areas and inspected rescue and relief efforts.
However, reports suggest the death toll may be much higher, with Radio Free Asia citing at least 160 fatalities. A rescue worker in Taungoo reported to BBC Burmese that flooding on the east bank of the Sittaung River had trapped over 300 people.
Scientists warn that typhoons and hurricanes are intensifying due to climate change, with warmer ocean waters fueling stronger storms. Myanmar’s population is already suffering from a three-year civil war that has killed thousands and displaced over 2.6 million people.
The UN estimates that 18.6 million people are now in humanitarian need. The International Red Cross notes that many families lack access to clean water, sanitation, basic medicines, and healthcare. They live in fear of armed conflict and violence, with disrupted livelihoods leaving countless people without the means to sustain themselves.
