YANGON: Bago River water levels in Bago town in Bago Region have risen more than 1.5 feet above the danger level, while heavy rains have caused flooding in several urban wards, forcing the evacuation of 494 residents from 126 households to temporary relief shelters since the evening of September 2.
According to a 6:30 am September 3 bulletin issued by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), the Bago River stood at 923 cm. The water level had not risen further from the 6:30 pm reading on September 2.
Following the rise in the Bago River and heavy rainfall, floodwaters entered Kyun Thar Yar, Kalyani, Zaing Taung and Ma Zin wards in Bago. Some sections of the Bago–Yangon highway and roads from northern Zaing Ga Naing ward to Bago Railway Station were also inundated.
Since the evening of September 2, authorities have evacuated 494 people from 126 households in low-lying areas that became uninhabitable due to flooding, temporarily relocating them to monasteries and religious halls in safer areas.
A total of 215 residents from Kyun Thar Yar Ward were relocated to the Mingalar Zeyyon Monastery religious hall; 57 from Kalyani Ward to the Kalyani Thein Monastery religious hall; 95 from Zaing Taung Ward to the ground floor of Kyaung Thit Monastery and the Wingabar Monastery religious hall; and 127 from Ma Zin Ward to the religious hall at the Lay Myet Hna Pagoda compound and the dining hall of Dhammikaram Monastery.
Flooding in Bago has also forced the temporary closure of 13 basic education schools.
Authorities, administrative organizations and social assistance groups are currently working together to provide necessary assistance, accommodation, food and other support to flood-affected residents. - Eleven Media/ANN
