Myanmar floods: Death toll rises to 88 as heavy monsoon devastates South-East Asia

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Myanmar floods: Death toll rises to 88 as heavy monsoon devastates South-East Asia

The death toll from severe flooding across Myanmar has risen to 88, officials say, as rising waters swallow more homes in low-lying regions in some of the poorest parts of the country.

More than 330,000 people have so far been affected by torrential monsoon rains that triggered flash floods and landslides and cut off communications as roads and bridges were destroyed.

Residents raced to bolster sand bag defences along the Irrawaddy River in the country's south-west as floodwaters swelled the mighty waterway, swamping dozens of villages as the waters drain from further north.

Soe Min Paing is a fisherman from Kyauk Taing village in Nyaung Don township, whose home has been inundated

"Nothing like this has happened before, but I am not the only one suffering," he said.

The flooding has claimed 14 lives since Thursday, bringing the death toll to 88, according to Phyu Lei Lei Tun of the social welfare ministry.

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-08/myanmar-flooding-claims-88-lives/6682326

[bristolgeoff]

the news before was about little rain,now there is plenty for asia again.no surprise that rain did fall as usual maybe alittle late

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

RIP to the poor souls!

[Tomtomtom69]

the news before was about little rain,now there is plenty for asia again.no surprise that rain did fall as usual maybe alittle late

Actually, the way I understand it is that while western Myanmar has seen some of the worst flooding in years due to above average rainfall, parts of neighboring Thailand, Cambodia and parts of Laos have seen their driest monsoon seasons in many years. Kind of ironic, don't you think?