Heavy rainfall over two consecutive days has caused flooding in several townships across Yangon, leading to traffic congestion, temporary factory closures and rescue operations, according to residents.
The downpours began on the night of July 28 and continued through the Full Moon Day of Waso (July 29) and July 30.
"The rain has been stopping and starting, so the floodwater has not had much time to recede. Just when the water should have gone down, it rained heavily again," a resident of Insein Township said.
Motorists also reported severe traffic disruptions caused by flooded roads.
"I had to take a detour because the road in Thuwunna was impassable. It was blocked near the traffic lights. There was also flooding near Shwegondaing, although traffic congestion there was not as severe," one driver said.
Flooding also forced some factories in the East Dagon Industrial Zone to suspend operations temporarily.
"It has been raining heavily all day and the water level keeps rising, so I'll have to work from home tomorrow because I can't get to the office," an employee at a workshop in the industrial zone said.
Flooding has been reported in Insein, Shwepyitha, North Dagon, East Dagon, Mayangon, South Okkalapa townships and the Thamine Junction area.
"Inpauksu Village in Ward 24 of Shwepyitha has been inundated, and local charitable organizations are working together to rescue affected residents," an official from a Shwepyitha-based charity organization wrote on social media.
According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), for the 24-hour period ending on the morning of July 31, isolated thundershowers are expected in Magway Region, the lower parts of Sagaing Region and Kayah State, fairly widespread thundershowers in Mandalay Region, and widespread thundershowers across the remaining regions and states. Regionally heavy rain is likely in Yangon Region, while isolated heavy rain is forecast in Bago, Ayeyawady and Tanintharyi regions, as well as Kayin, Mon and Rakhine states. The probability of rainfall is 100 percent.
The DMH also warned that heavy rain is expected to continue over the next two days in Yangon, Bago, upper Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions, as well as Kachin, Kayin, Mon and Shan states.
