The death toll from flooding across the country has reached at least 69, with nearly 270,000 people affected, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement said Wednesday according to a 6 August report in the Global New Light of Myanmar.
Rakhine State, one of four declared disaster zones, was by farthe worst hit, recording 41 deaths, followed by Mandalay Region with eight, Sagaing Region with seven and Shan State with five, said the ministry.
Authorities have issued a yellow alert since Tuesday for flooding in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyawady Region, where the Ayeyawady River has risen to itsdesignated danger level, and are evacuating people from 10 low-lying areas and 4 villages in the township to shelters, a local official said.
The weather bureau has warned people in low-lying areas in Ayeyawady Region, Aunglan and Seiktha in Magway Region and Pyay in Bago Region to be alert to possible flooding.
The United Nations warned last Friday that the death toll fromthe disaster was set to rise.