YANGON (Xinhua): As devastating floods sweep through central Myanmar, thousands of affected residents are receiving badly needed aid, including food, clothing, and shelter, from donors and rescuers.
The water level of Ayeyarwady River in several towns in Magway region has exceeded their warning marks in recent days, according to the country's Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
"I have experienced flooding in the past. This year's flooding saw the water level rise quicker than in previous years. Rescue teams help us move our belongings and generous donors provide us with clothes, food and shelters," said Hnin Nwe Soe, a resident of Magway township in Magway region.
"I have three children. I didn't want to risk their safety, so I moved to the road quickly before the situation became more serious," she explained, saying that she hadn't been to work because transportation is difficult since the water level started rising.
Myat Mon, 35, another resident of Magway town, said this is the second time she had encountered flooding, the first being five years ago.
"I survived by consuming food distributed by generous donors. And, they support clothes and money, which really helped us," said Mon, who currently stayed in a temporary tent on the road with her family members.
"I cannot make money for a living because I cannot go to work. I really feel sorrowful for this tragedy," she added.
Arr Puu Tuu and his team, donors from Yangon, who helped door-to-door in the flood-affected areas, said they are helping villages near the Ayeyarwady River in the Magway region by donating rice and drinking water.
Kyaw Gyi, a member of a rescue team in the Magway region, said that "the water started rising on July 12. During this flooding, I distributed food donated by donors to the victims and went to the flooded areas with boats and helped in carrying things and constructing shelters for the victims."
"Due to the rising water level of the Ayeyarwady River, over 3,000 acres of beans and pulses have been submerged, and over 800 cattle have died at our village in Thayet township. Nearly 200 households in Thayet township in Magway have been evacuated," U Mya Win, ward administrator of Thayet township of Magway region said.
"Additionally, there is a risk of cholera due to unclean water. We are facing a scarcity of drinking water because the wells in our village are underwater," he said.
In Myanmar, July and August are in the middle of the rainy season, and heavy rains are typical during this period, the weather agency said. - Xinhua
