Myanmar Spring Chronicle – September 11th Perspective
(MoeMaKa – September 12, 2024)
Floods Amid Political and Military Conflicts
Three and a half years have passed since Myanmar’s political crisis began, escalating into armed conflict. For the past three years, armed clashes have intensified, with military forces striving to capture territories, bases, and towns.
Amid unresolved political and armed conflicts, Myanmar also faced the COVID-19 pandemic during the monsoon season of mid-2021. Tens of thousands died, and no entity was able to collect precise data on the death toll. As the country grappled with political turmoil, the military junta, which had seized power, prioritized political control over public health. This approach resulted in thousands of preventable deaths, as people were denied oxygen, essential medicines, and proper healthcare. Many lost their right to life, and the exact figures remain undocumented.
Last year and this year, early and mid-monsoon seasons also brought flood risks. Rakhine State was hit by Cyclone Mocha, and Kachin State’s Myitkyina suffered from flooding earlier this year.
Now, once again, as armed conflicts and power struggles persist, the natural disaster of flooding has struck. The tropical storm named Yagi, which entered from the east coast of China and Vietnam, brought heavy rains along its inland path, causing rivers to flood, mountains to collapse, and homes to be destroyed. Bridges and roads in eastern and southern Shan State, Mandalay Region, and Magway Region were also damaged. Floodwaters swept away homes and crops, leading to deaths and destruction.
Although international news outlets had been reporting on the storm’s approach a week earlier, and warnings of heavy rains after the storm made landfall were issued, countries like Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar were in its path. In Thailand, landslides and flash floods occurred, with evacuation efforts underway. Similar warnings and evacuations were carried out in Laos. However, in Myanmar, political issues between the military junta and armed resistance groups dominated attention, overshadowing the threat of floods.
In some regions experiencing armed conflict, flood relief efforts were hindered as fighting continued, with some groups focusing more on military opportunities than helping those affected by the disaster. In places like Karen State, Rakhine State, and southern Shan State, the lack of early warning systems and preemptive evacuations led to deaths, loss of homes, and belongings. From Tachileik in the far east to Pyawbwe, Tatkon, and Pyinmana in the central region, flash floods and river flooding have devastated homes, with residents unable to escape in time.
Despite the junta controlling many cities, most citizens do not support them. Their disaster relief efforts have been minimal and disorganized. Delayed warnings, insufficient rescue forces, and a lack of support mean that people are enduring the natural disaster without adequate help. Many areas remain cut off from phone and internet communication, making it difficult for those affected to receive warnings or request assistance.
In some countries, political groups set aside differences to work together during crises like pandemics or natural disasters. But in Myanmar, this collaboration has yet to materialize, whether during the COVID-19 pandemic or the current floods. This lack of unity continues to be an unfortunate and tragic aspect of life for the people of Myanmar.