FLASH UPDATE #1 – Flooding in Kachin and Sagaing
Country under monitoring: Myanmar
OVERVIEW: As the effects of monsoon season in Northern Myanmar, prolonged heavy rainfall since the last week of June in the upstream region of the Ayeyarwaddy River, the water level in Myitkyina has rapidly increased and reached above danger level. This resulted to overflow of the river that flooded the communities in the low-lying areas of Myitkyina, Waingmaw, and Mogaung as well as flooding in Hpa-Kant, and Bhamo. Another major river named Chindwin River has also overflowed and has consequently flooded the communities in Hkamti located near Chindwin River.
IMPACTS: According to DDM Myanmar, a total of 3.7K families (17.9K individuals) over Kachin and Sagaing have been displaced into 53 evacuation centres such as schools, monasteries, churches and other community shelters, with following details:
- Myitkyina: 2.3K families (11K individuals) evacuated to 36 evacuation centres
- Waingaw: 740 families (3K individuals) evacuated to 14 evacuation centres
- Bhamo: 100 families (400 individuals) evacuated to temporary shelters
- Mogaung: 90 families (500 individuals) evacuated to temporary shelters
- Hpa-Kant: 265 families (2.2K individuals) evacuated to temporary shelters
- Hkamti: 170 families (800 individuals) evacuated to 3 evacuation centres
Latest Situation: Although the observation stations in Myitkyina continue to indicate a high danger level as of today (4 July), the river water level has been gradually decreasing since yesterday (3 July). Consequently, some of the evacuated community are now returning to their homes.
WEATHER AND FLOOD FORECAST:
According to DMH Myanmar’s forecast for 1-10 July 2024, rain or thundershowers are expected to be above normal in Sagaing, Mandalay, Magway, Kachin, Shan, Chin, and Kayah. Additionally, rainy days are anticipated for 7 to 10 days in Upper Sagaing, Bago, Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Taninthayi, Kachin, Shan, Chin, Rakhine, Kayin, and Mon
WFP ADAM Flood Forecast indicates the following cities/municipalities with potential flooding for the period of 1-8 July 2024:
- High potential: Naga
- Moderate potential: Monywa, Yinmarbin, Mawlaik, Hkamti, Myitkyina
- Low potential: Pyay, Magway, Minbu, Thayet
PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE:
- The Kachin State Government has led the response measures to provide necessary humanitarian assistance and to evacuate affected communities with the guidance of the National Level Authorities.
- As data collection and provision of assistance are underway, the total number of affected people can be increased in the next few days.
- DDM offices in the affected area are now taking necessary actions to provide assistance under the close supervision of DDM Headquarters.
- DDM EOC is also closely monitoring the weather situation.
The AHA Centre will continue to monitor for further developments and issue necessary updates.
DATA SOURCES
ASEAN Disaster Monitoring & Response System (DMRS), ASEAN Disaster Information Network (ADINet); Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global); ASEAN Specialised Meteorological Centre (ASMC); World Food Programme Advanced Disaster Analysis and Mapping (WFP-ADAM);
Myanmar: DDM, DMH;
Verified news media agencies;
