Although floods have receded significantly in Bago Region where there have been continuous heavy rains for three days, some low-lying wards are now facing the floods, according to local social organizations in Bago.
"The water has receded significantly in some places. But motorcycles still cannot go. There is no water in the high areas. Water has decreased in the high areas significantly. In other low areas, there is still water," said Ko Min Min Tun, who works in social assistance in Bago.
On the morning of October 11, the weather in Bago was good and there was no rain. He added that it was only cloudy.
“There have been floods near Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha Image and Bago Highway Bus Station but floods reduced in high-lying areas,” volunteer Htin Kyaw wrote on his Facebook account yesterday.
Although weather is cloudy in Bago, yesterday morning, it was shining in the afternoon, according to the dwellers in Bago.
“Mainly, it isn’t raining. So, floods haven’t increased. Water of Bago River regularly flows. If rain will be falling, the water level of the Bago River is stagnant; there are still floods in the wards of the town. Now, water regularly flows and floods will be receding in low-lying wards. Therefore, we are going to pray for a stop of rain,” said local lives near Leik Pya Kan (Butterfly Lake) ward in Bago.
Bago Region is experiencing the worst flooding in 60 years and the rains that fell on October 8 set a new record.
The houses situated in low-lying wards are being flooded. So, the rescue workers provided the rice and meal boxes to the victims.
“Approximately, over 4,500 households from seven wards and eight villages are now facing the flooding. It is just estimate figures. Now, 22 flood relief camps are being opened in Bago and the social organizations from entire Myanmar help in the Bago flood,” said Min Min Tun.
The rains that fell on October 8 set a new record for the town of Bago. It was a new record rainfall of 7.87 inches, and the previous record was 5.15 inches in 2018.
Following the record-breaking rains, flooding began on the night of October 8, not only in the townships of the region but also in downtown areas.
It is the fourth time that the town of Bago experienced floods this year.
Due to the continuous heavy rains in Bago, the water level of Bago River already has risen. So, the team led by Bago Region Fire Services Department sent the flood victims to the monasteries and relief centers. Moreover, the special rescue members from Headquarter of Myanmar Fire Services Department left for Bago region on October 9 aiming to carry out rescue activities.
As there have been floods in low-lying wards and villages due to the continuous heavy rain in Bago, 29 temporary flood relief camps are being opened in 11 wards and six villages and the authorities and wellwishers provided drinking water bottles, food and medicines at the camps.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) released on October 9 that the water level of Bago River reached over 4-ft (124cm) above its danger level. The DMH also released yesterday that water level of Bago river may recede again to 7-ft in Zaungtu and Bago Townships.
