Excerpts from the SAC Information Team Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun’s Clarification on Flood Response and Relief Efforts

On 15 September, the SAC Information Team Leader Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun made clarifications on floods in Myanmar due to Yagi storm and deep depression occurring in Bay of Bengal and relief efforts. The excerpts from the clarifications are as follows:

• Early warnings about the developing low-pressure area were issued on 29 August. Sub­sequently, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology issued widespread alerts on 9 September about the risk of heavy rainfall and landslides in central Myanmar due to the Yagi’s rapid movement in the South China Sea.
• On 9 September, approximately 11 inches of heavy rain fell near Tatkon Town­ship and in the vicinity of Nay Pyi Taw, leading to signif­icant flooding in local creeks and wrecking villages, neighbourhoods, houses, roads and bridges. Likewise, floods occurred in 56 townships of Kayah State, Kay­in State, Mon State, Shan State, Bago Region, Magway Region, Mandalay Region and Ayeyawady Region.
• Till 14 September, floods and landslides had displaced more than 320,000 people of 78,000 households living in 72,900 houses. They all had been evacuated to temporary relief camps. Tragically, 113 deaths have been reported na­tionwide, with 64 people missing and 14 injured.
• The Chairman of State Adminis­tration Council, the Vice-Chair­man, and relevant Union minis­ters are personally overseeing operations in the affected are­as. The Disaster Management Committee (DMC) is working 24 hours a day to coordinate relief efforts. Tatmadaw members, MPF mem­bers, Fire Brigade members, Myanmar Red Cross Society organization members, NGOs, and volunteers are actively con­tributing to relief efforts.
• Subversive media and those who seek to harm Myanmar are circulating groundless rumours against the Government’s relief efforts. For example, they spread a rumour to make frightened the people that there were 700 deaths during the flash-flood in Thabyebin village of Yamethin Township. In reality, only eight people died in the flood incident and injured persons were transported to hospitals and clinics for medical treatment.
• On 14 September, a Tatmadaw member and another MPF member involved in rescue op­erations at Western Zayatgyi villages in Toungoo Township went missing in floods while evacuating villagers. Tthe bravery and selflessness of the Tatmadaw personnel, MPF members, fire fight­ers, and volunteers who are at the risk of losing their lives in the rescue efforts are much appreciated.
• The Ministry of Social Wel­fare, Relief, and Resettlement will provide essential support, including rice and food at fixed rates to the flood victims. Financial assistance will also be provided to the dead and injured people. It will also con­duct a thorough assessment of property damage and provide support accordingly to those who lost houses based on the damage percent.
• Foodstuffs will be provided at a set rate for those in relief camps. The government owes a lot to all the volunteer contributions for relief efforts as donations have been seen in relief operations.

He added that those who are seeking to harm Myanmar cannot do anything for Myanmar’s benefits in the face of natural disasters. Accordingly, we must rely on our inter­nal strength and work together to overcome those challenges, it is reported.

Source: MWD (16-9-2024)

• Till 14 September, floods and landslides had displaced more than 320,000 people of 78,000 households living in 72,900 houses. They all had been evacuated to temporary relief camps. Tragically, 113 deaths have been reported na­tionwide, with 64 people missing and 14 injured.
• The Chairman of State Adminis­tration Council, the Vice-Chair­man, and relevant Union minis­ters are personally overseeing operations in the affected are­as. The Disaster Management Committee (DMC) is working 24 hours a day to coordinate relief efforts. Tatmadaw members, MPF mem­bers, Fire Brigade members, Myanmar Red Cross Society organization members, NGOs, and volunteers are actively con­tributing to relief efforts.
• Subversive media and those who seek to harm Myanmar are circulating groundless rumours against the Government’s relief efforts.
• The Ministry of Social Wel­fare, Relief, and Resettlement will provide essential support, including rice and food at fixed rates to the flood victims. It will also con­duct a thorough assessment of property damage and provide support accordingly to those who lost houses based on the damage percent.
• Those who are seeking to harm Myanmar cannot do anything for Myanmar’s benefits in the face of natural disasters. Accordingly, we must rely on our inter­nal strength and work together to overcome those challenges.