Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 14 Scene
(MoeMaKa, September 15, 2024)
Flooded Areas, Armed Conflicts, and Rescue Efforts
The news regarding the regions affected by the floods that began on September 10 and 11 continues to dominate headlines. These reports detail the rising death toll, urgent calls for assistance from various areas, loss of lives, homes, livestock, and destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Around 80-90% of the news focuses on the dangerous situation in towns and villages along the rivers, where floodwaters remain high and continue to rise, carried by rivers swollen by heavy storms.
As of September 14, towns at risk due to rising water levels include Taungoo in Bago Region, Nyaung Shwe in Shan State, and villages in the Inle Lake area.
People from Myanmar, both domestically and abroad, have been sending aid to those affected by both the military conflict and the floods. Contributions are being directed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs under the NUG (National Unity Government), with financial and other forms of support. NUG, through its ministries, has also been urging its allies and organizations to assist. In areas affected by both the military conflict and floods, the armed resistance forces and strike groups are leveraging their networks to provide effective aid as well.
In regions solely affected by the floods, organizations, individuals, religious groups, and social organizations aligned with the military council have been actively collecting donations and providing assistance. Various civil society groups also continue to support the flood victims.
It is important to note that in areas experiencing both floods and conflict, civilians have not been spared from the armed clashes. The military council’s forces, including air forces, continue to target civilian areas under the control of ethnic armed groups and the Spring Revolution forces, which is a tragic and alarming situation. At the same time, ethnic groups and the PDF (People’s Defense Force), along with local PDFs and allied groups, have been launching attacks against the military forces in retaliation, even amidst the flooding.
In light of this, there are hopes that both sides might be able to reach some humanitarian understanding to effectively deliver aid to the flood victims. However, it seems unlikely due to the ongoing political tensions.
An unusual development is that amidst the natural disaster and heavy casualties caused by the Yagi cyclone hitting neighboring countries, the Chinese embassy in Myanmar has issued a political statement. It reiterated China’s stance of non-interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs, its support for peace, and its opposition to military conflicts. The statement also countered any unwarranted criticisms directed toward China and emphasized its commitment to stability in northern Myanmar, signaling that China will continue to be involved in Myanmar’s internal matters.
Meteorologists have identified Cyclone Yagi, currently impacting Myanmar and neighboring countries, as a tropical cyclone linked to climate change. Similar cyclones have caused significant damage in the United States, particularly in 2024, due to storms coming from the Atlantic.
Southeast and East Asian countries, facing rising temperatures and drought, are now being struck by the early stages of these powerful cyclones. While countries with stable governments, low corruption, and experienced experts are better equipped to handle disaster preparedness and recovery, Myanmar, which is crippled by conflict and administrative disarray, lacks the infrastructure to cope with natural disasters like these.
The Spring Revolution forces recognize this vulnerability and emphasize the importance of addressing it as a priority in their revolutionary agenda, calling on the public to consider it seriously as part of the overall struggle.