Flooding in northern Myanmar leaves 9 dead

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Flooding in northern Myanmar leaves 9 dead

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The U.N.'s emergency relief organization says incessant monsoon rain in northwestern Myanmar has triggered flooding, leaving nine people dead and affecting 70,000 others.

The report on Sagaing Region from the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says 12,000 houses have been damaged and schools forced to close.

The Myanmar Ahlin newspaper says the region registered a 24-hour rainfall of 7.83 inches (19.9 centimeters), the highest in 24 years.

The U.N. report says flooding has also affected more than 800 households in northern Kachin state, forcing the relocation of some.

Flooding is common during Myanmar's monsoon season, which typically starts in late May and ends in mid-October.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-25

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Death toll in northern Myanmar flooding rises to 14

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — The death toll from monsoon rains in northwestern Myanmar that triggered heavy flooding has climbed to 14, with thousands of others affected.

The State-run Kyemon daily reported Monday that the flooding due to heavy rains falling on many parts of Myanmar had also damaged roads and bridges, including a 100-year-old bridge in northern Shan state Sipaw township, killing five and injuring three others.

The U.N emergency relief organization reported Saturday that the flooding had killed nine people. The U.N. report said flooding has affected more than 800 households in northern Kachin state, forcing the relocation of some.

Flooding is common during Myanmar's monsoon season, which typically starts in late May and ends in mid-October.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-28