The Ayeyawady River near Pakokku reached the official danger level of 2,150 centimetres this afternoon, prompting residents living in low-lying areas along the riverbank to begin evacuating.

As the river continued to rise, floodwaters entered homes in low-lying wards, with evacuations getting under way from Monday morning.

A resident of Ward No. 1 said around 30 households in the low-lying section had registered for evacuation.

“About 30 households in the low-lying part of Ward No. 1 have registered to move. At the moment, they are arranging food and accommodation, while the relevant authorities are monitoring the situation with various response teams,” the resident said.

Local sources said the river could rise to more than two feet above the danger level, with water levels expected to continue increasing for another three days. The number of people seeking shelter from the floods is also expected to grow.

During severe flooding in July 2024, the Ayeyawady River near Pakokku rose about 4.5 feet above the danger level, forcing many local residents to evacuate.