Catastrophic Floods Devastate Myanmar Amid Political Turmoil

At least 19 people have died in Myanmar due to severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi. The storms have displaced 3,600 residents, mainly around the capital Naypyitaw. The flooding exacerbates an already dire situation in the country, embroiled in conflict and economic turmoil since the February 2021 military coup.

At least 19 people have been killed in Myanmar after heavy rains triggered severe flooding in and around the country's capital, according to the national fire service. Rescuers have been evacuating some of the 3,600 displaced residents to safer areas by boat.

Brought on by Typhoon Yagi, the strongest storm to hit Asia this year, the adverse weather has devastated Myanmar, as well as Vietnam and Thailand, where over 230 people have died. Floodwaters from swollen rivers have inundated cities in these regions.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since a military coup in February 2021, with violence rampant across large parts of the impoverished nation. The floods now add to the country's crippling economic crisis and ongoing armed rebellion. Satellite imagery analysis by the U.N.-backed Myanmar Information Management Unit (MIMU) revealed that about 162 sq km around Naypyitaw and 366 sq km around Mandalay were flooded on Thursday.

"In total, 3,602 flood-affected people from 30 locations were rescued and moved," the fire department said in a Facebook post, reporting 19 fatalities. Some buildings were swamped and residents, including women and children, were stranded on rooftops before being rescued by boat.

Approximately one-third of Myanmar's 55 million people need humanitarian assistance, but many aid agencies face access restrictions and security risks, limiting relief efforts.

(With inputs from agencies.)