UN stands ready to assist Myanmar with heavy flooding

The United Nations on Friday said that the world body is ready to assist Myanmar with the floods caused by seasonal rains in the country's Sagaing region.

Some 70,000 people have been adversely affected by the floods in 11 townships, with nine people having died and more than 12,000 houses having been damaged, said Eri Kaneko, the UN associate spokesperson at a daily news briefing here, citing information given by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Authorities in Sagaing said that more than 40,000 people have been severely affected or displaced by the floods. she said.

"The UN has offered support and stands ready to assist response efforts in Sagaing," she said. "The United Nations is part of a joint team currently visiting the worst affected areas to assess the situation and humanitarian needs."

Heavy rainfall has been pouring since Wednesday last week in Kayin, Sagaing, Bago, Magway, Rakhine, Yangon and Ayeyawaddy states and regions, flooding nearly 40,000 acres (about 16,200 hectares) of summer and monsoon paddy fields, reports said.

The flood has also caused damage to bridges and roads in three townships in northwestern Sagaing region, central Myanmar, while rail transportation between Mandalay and Myitgyina in the north has been suspended.

Local people are being evacuated to minimize the risks of life and relief camps are being opened for the flood-hit victims in Shwebo and Katha areas, according to the reports. Endite