Myanmar flood damage may exceed Ks160 billion
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Recent flooding across Myanmar caused over Ks160 billion (approximately US$125.24 million) in damage, announced the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.
“According to figures we have received so far, the floods caused losses of more than Ks160 billion. As the process to calculate the losses is ongoing, it could be more,” said ministry director Kyaw San Oo.
The floods, hitting the country during June and August, heavily damaged bridges, roads, dams and farmland across the country.
The director said the current figures do not include damage to personal properties.
According to the United Nations, more than 1 million people were critically affected, and more than 15,000 houses were destroyed. About 1.3 million acres of farmland are inundated and 690 000 acres are damaged at the onset of the planting season.
President Thein Sein said the government has a plan to rebuild houses damaged in the floods during his radio address on August 6.
The death toll reached 117 as of August 24, according to figures released by the government.
The country has received about US$25 million in aid from foreign countries and international organisations, according to the Myanmar Disaster Preparedness Management Working Committee.
Meteorologists have warned of possible storms and rising water levels in rivers in September and October.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced today that it would offer US$3 million assistance to Myanmar to support relief efforts. ADB will also consider mobilising new resources and adjusting existing programmes for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and affected livelihoods. ADB’s efforts are geared to support the government at both national and state/regional levels, based on damage and needs assessments and in close coordination with the development community, the bank said in a statement.
“ADB is committed to assist Myanmar in these difficult times,” ADB President Takehiko Nakao said. “It is important to link the relief and early recovery phase with the longer term rehabilitation plans, and ADB will support Myanmar in this effort.”
