© RFAFlooding in Bago City, Myanmar, July 29, 2024.
In Myanmar, there have been 11 flood-related deaths since July 27 in the Bago and Ayeyarwady regions and in Kayin state, according to local residents and social aid groups. Seven of those deaths were in the Bago region, a social worker told Radio Free Asia.
"Four people drowned and three were electrocuted. We had to bury one child who was electrocuted," the social worker said.
In Bago city, 20,000 people were forced from their homes earlier this week. Now, with floods affecting most of the rest of the country, approximately 100,000 people are facing disaster, according to aid groups.
Junta-affiliated newspapers this week stated that military officials have been providing aid to affected townships. But social aid organizations and flood-affected residents said the military hasn't implemented effective relief plans.
A member of aid group from Yangon who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons criticized the junta for focusing on fighting insurgents in northern and western Myanmar.
"Instead of addressing the natural disaster, they are prioritizing the war," the association member said. "I feel deeply sorry for the people who are suffering. At this time, they [the junta] have not donated even a piece of clothing for their living and food."
A monk assisting flood victims in the Bago region told RFA that the local authorities haven't been providing assistance. Instead, they are frequently inspecting charity organizations.
"In previous years, it was easy to work and move around," the monk said. "However, since the 2021 coup d'รฉtat, working conditions have become difficult. Vehicles belonging to humanitarian workers have been confiscated and impounded."
Ruined crops in Cambodia
In Cambodia, several days of rainfall have destroyed many hectares of pepper, corn and rice fields along the Sangker River in western Battambang province, where water has been rising for about two weeks, according to Prey Chas commune resident Ali Rohani.
"We weren't ready [for the flood]. I mean, the rice wasn't ripe yet," she said, adding that if farmers can't sell their crop, they won't be able to repay their loans.
"Everyone is afraid there will be no money for the banks," she said. "They don't know where to get money for the banks because we already spent the money on farming."
Homes and rice fields have also been inundated in Banteay Meanchey, Pursat and Kampong Thom provinces.
In Banteay Meanchey, the Mongkul Borei river has risen sharply and has begun overflowing into canals and rice fields. Farmers have been dropping large stones into the river in an effort to slow the river's flow.
A resident of Kampong Thom province's Prasat Sambo district said flooding near the Stung Sen river is forcing people to evacuate.
Flooding has also affected rural residents down river from the Tonle Sap lake.
Provincial officials have warned residents living near Kandal province's Prek Tnaot dam that flood waters could continue to rise, potentially affecting people in Phnom Penh's Dangkor district and elsewhere in Kandal.
Heavy rains, mudslides in Laos
In Laos, flooding in central Khammouane province's Khounkham district started on July 25 after a week of constant rain.
Authorities reported that 1,225 hectares of rice fields and farmland have been affected by the rising
Several residents told RFA on Tuesday that most of their rice and vegetable crops have been lost and some roads have been damaged.
In Luang Prabang province, 324 families living in 13 villages in Viengkham district were affected by flash floods last week. They were still without electricity on Tuesday.
One resident said on Monday that mudslides had struck some houses and covered farmland. District and village officials were working to bring in food and drinking water to the area, the resident said.
Translated by Kalyar Lwin, Yun Samean and Phouvong. Edited by Matt Reed.
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