According to the military government, the death toll in Myanmar following Typhoon Yagi has surpassed 220, with nearly 80 individuals still unaccounted for. In early September, a devastating storm ravaged northern Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar, claiming the lives of over 500 individuals across the region, as reported by official figures. Severe floods and mudslides swept through Myanmar, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 226 lives and the devastation of entire villages. In the wake of extensive crop devastation spanning hundreds of thousands of acres, the UN has issued a stark warning: over half a million individuals in this war-torn nation are facing an urgent crisis, requiring not only food but also access to drinking water, shelter, and clothing. Over 600,000 acres of crops have been devastated, with the Naypyidaw region facing some of the most severe impacts. Intense downpours have nearly engulfed entire villages in the Bago region to the south.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the death toll has tragically surpassed 500 across Southeast Asia. The UN reported that the storm's destruction affected nine states and regions, including the capital Naypyidaw in the interior, Mandalay to the north, Magway to the west, and Bago to the south—areas situated along the Irrawaddy, Myanmar's largest river. Shan State in the northeast, along with Mon, Kayah, and Kayin states to the south, also experienced impacts. Since early 2021, a civil war has swept across the nation, ignited by the army's seizure of power following the ousting of the democratically-elected government. Since that time, thousands have lost their lives and millions have been displaced as numerous armed resistance groups confront the ruling military junta. Over the past year, the army has relinquished control over significant areas of the country, resulting in a fragmented and unstable governance landscape. The combination of this factor and inadequate communication in remote regions has resulted in a delayed emergence of information regarding casualties.
Marga Ambulance & Rescue Men wearing bright orange life jackets guide a small boat filled with children through waist-high water in the street. Rescue and relief efforts are currently in progress in certain areas. The UN has issued a critical alert: there is an immediate demand for food, clothing, and shelter. The United Nations has declared that the floods rank among the most devastating in Myanmar's recent history. The disaster response agency has estimated that approximately 630,000 individuals have been impacted by the flooding, facing blocked roads, damaged bridges, and disrupted communication lines, all of which have significantly hindered relief efforts.
Many areas of the country, including Shan State—one of the hardest hit by the flooding—remain largely inaccessible to aid agencies, which face significant challenges due to the region being predominantly controlled by a rebel army. A volunteer rescuer in the southern region of the state informed that mudslides had engulfed entire houses. "To date, we have gathered more than 100 deceased individuals, encompassing both children and the elderly." He added, "We're still on the hunt for over 200 more." “I’ve never witnessed flooding like this in my entire life,” remarked a resident from eastern Shan State.
The situation remains critical over 500 miles away in the southeast. “People are in urgent need of food," stated Khon Matia, a senior official in the rebel-controlled Kayin State (formerly known as Karen State), in an interview with BBC Burmese. "International aid is not being offered." Individuals find themselves in a challenging situation as everything is obstructed due to the floods and the ongoing conflict. Reaching us can be quite a challenge. The United Nations has declared this as the most severe flooding event in Myanmar's recent history.
Over the weekend, the ruling military junta made an unusual request for assistance, with neighbouring India being the sole nation to answer the call. It provided assistance in the form of food, clothing, and medical supplies. Typhoon Yagi resulted in 10 fatalities in Thailand and one in Laos. Authorities report that in Vietnam, the death toll has reached 292, with 38 individuals still unaccounted for. Over 230,000 homes have suffered damage, while 280,000 hectares of crops have been destroyed, and significant manufacturing hubs have been severely impacted.
Floods and mudslides kill more than 200 in Myanmar