New flood likely to occur in Myanmar: weather expert

A third wave of flood is likely to occur in Myanmar in September and October, warning of potential inundation until Oct. 10, according to U Tun Lwin, former director- general of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology Thursday.

Followed by the first in June and the second in July and August, the country's flooding could worsen amid forecasts of above- average rainfall until the end of next month, the prominent weather expert U Tun Lwin warned.

Flooding has begun to move southwards and it is likely to expand and affect other areas, the department said.

He stressed the need for implementation of effective climate action, pointing out that preparedness and preventive measures have been weak in the country, leaving the country susceptible to recent widespread flash floods.

Meanwhile, death toll from the severe flooding across Myanmar has reached at least 69 with nearly 270,000 others affected so far, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

Of the four declared disaster zones namely Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing and Magway, Rakhine state was the worst hit.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, 445, 747 hectares of farmlands in 13 regions and states in the country were under water, of which the Bago region accounted for over 124, 508 hectares. Endi