Torrential rain caused chaos in some areas of Yangon on August 7 due to the record-breaking rainfall in 72-year time, according to Yangon residents.

New rainfall records in Yangon (Mingaladon) and Yangon (Kabaraye) are 144 millimeters (5.67 inches) and 149 millimeters (5.86 inches) respectively, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH).

Floods occurred most of the townships and it is the recorded rainfall in Yangon.

“Water has covered some areas of Mingaladon and when I drove to Insein, cars cannot go further in Insein Park,” said Myo Thu Win.

The old rainfall records in Yangon (Mingaladon) and Yangon (Kabaraye) are 129 millimeters (5.08 inches) and 143 millimeters (5.63 inches) respectively during August 2013.

Floods also occurred in the compound in Aungmingalar highway terminal in North Oakkalapa Township due to heavy rain.

Aung Myo Win, Administrator of Aungmingalar highway terminal said, “Water level in Ngamoeyeik creep is increased due to heavy rain. It is usually happened every year but it is worse than last year. We don’t need to worry much as water level will be decreased after the rain has stopped. Ten cleaning staff quarters in the terminal are submerged. They are taking shelter at Ahkyosaung religious hall in the compound and we provided food and other provisions to them.”

A highway bus driver said, “We have difficulty parking the buses in the compound and it is threatening the livelihoods of ordinary people. I think it is concerned with the municipal department. Drains are also blocked. The authorities charged Ks2,500 per bus daily but they have weaknesses to manage the bus terminal. Travellers also have more or less difficulties. The authorities from the respective departments need to undertake everything to solve the situation.”

Most of the townships in Yangon such as Mingaladon, Thaketa, Hlaingthayar, Shwepyithar, Insein and North Oakkalapa are covered with water.

Water entered into some inpatients wards in North Oakkalapa General Hospital and some patients from downstairs are moved to upper floors.

“The places are usually being covered with water annually. They are Ear, Nose & Throat, Orthopaedic and Obstetric & Gynaecology wards. The flood occurred this year is a little bad. We will think about another plan if the flooding is worse,” said Dr Kyi Soe, Superintendent of North Oakkalapa General Hospital.

Fire Services Department and civic organizations helped to move the patients and pump the water.

Heavy rain increased the water levels for five feet in big drains in North Dagon Township and the township development committee urged the people to be careful of the danger of electrocution and insects.

Some schools in North Dagon Township told the students to leave the school early.

“Water circled our school and teachers told us to go home early,” said a student from No.1 B.E.H.S North Dagon.

Some sub-power stations in Yangon Region are submerged under water due to the heavy rain from August 6. The authorities shut down the power stations temporarily for safety and some places in Shwepyithar, Hlaingthayar, Dagon Seikkan, East Dagon and North Dagon townships are faced temporary blackouts. The authorities are trying to provide electricity after water level is decreased, announced Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation on August 7.

Heavy rain poured down across Myanmar due to a deep depression formed in northwest of Bay of Bengal.

According to the observations made by the DMH on August 7, the deep depression over the northwest Bay of Bengal has moved northwestwards and it is centered at about 30 miles South-Southwest of Digha and 35 miles Southeast of Blasore, India. It is continue to move northwestwards. Monsoon is vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Rain or thundershowers will be scattered in lower Sagaing Region, fairly widespread in Mandalay Region and widespread in the remaining regions and states with regionally heavy falls in Bago, Yangon and Ayeyawady regions and Rakhine, Kayin and Mon states and isolated heavy falls in Nay Pyi Taw and Taninthayi Region, it said.

Frequent squalls with rough to very rough seas will be experienced off and along Myanmar coasts. Surface wind speed in squalls may reach 40-45 m.p.h, it said.