Myanmar Spring Chronicle – October 14 Overview
(MoeMaKa) October 15, 2024
Challenges in Recovering from the Yagi Storm Floods
It has been over a month since a powerful typhoon originating from the South China Sea struck Vietnam and China in early September. The typhoon caused significant damage to coastal countries, and as it moved inland, its remnants brought heavy rains to Laos, northern Thailand, and Myanmar, leading to widespread flooding, landslides, and severe losses of life, livelihoods, and agricultural lands.
In countries like Vietnam, which were directly hit by the storm, there was major destruction, but the loss of life was not as severe as in Myanmar, where continued heavy rainfall caused devastating floods. Thailand, which also experienced heavy rains, saw fewer fatalities compared to Myanmar.
According to the latest reports from the military junta, 520 people in Myanmar have died due to flooding from the Yagi storm. Additionally, over two million livestock have perished, more than 700,000 acres of crops have been destroyed, and 80,000 households, or over a million people, have been affected.
These figures were provided by the junta’s deputy leader during a global disaster risk reduction ceremony. The data is thought to reflect the real extent of the damage. There are questions about why Myanmar has suffered so much more loss of life than neighboring countries. The answer likely lies in the military junta’s focus on consolidating power rather than prioritizing the needs of the people. There were insufficient warnings and preparations for the storm, and during the disaster, there was a lack of strong and organized emergency response, exacerbating the losses.
Beyond the lack of preparedness, another factor contributing to the severity of the disaster is environmental degradation. As the country experiences more extreme weather due to climate change, the effects are worsened by deforestation and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Unregulated gold mining and settlements in unsuitable areas, such as flood-prone zones, have also played a significant role in the increased fatalities and loss of livelihoods.
For instance, in the township of Yamaethin, where the highest number of casualties was reported, illegal gold mining in mountainous areas left the terrain vulnerable to landslides during the relentless rain. In towns like Kalaw, a popular hill station, heavy rainfall combined with unregulated mining and housing developments near streams has caused floods and landslides.
Poor governance, corruption, and mismanagement have worsened the impacts of natural disasters in Myanmar, leading to increased fatalities and destruction. Over the past three to four years, vast areas of protected forests have been lost due to conflict and military operations, particularly in Sagaing, northern Magwe, parts of Shan State, and Kachin State, raising concerns about the future impact of natural disasters.
Hopes for recovery in flood-affected regions remain dim. Most of the areas hit by the recent floods, except for Loikaw and Demoso, are controlled by the military junta, meaning the responsibility for rebuilding lies with them. However, the junta has not clearly announced how much aid or reconstruction funds will be provided. It is only known that they have collected over 50 billion kyats in donations from business owners, but this amount is insignificant given the ongoing inflation crisis. The junta has also announced compensation of 1 million kyats per victim, but there has been little information about other relief or rebuilding efforts.
In the wake of the Yagi storm, communities have banded together to provide mutual support, but the government should also be stepping in to assist. The junta must not block aid or retaliate against Myanmar refugees affected by the storm, as was the case during the 2008 Cyclone Nargis disaster under the Than Shwe regime.
Looking forward, resistance groups will likely continue to increase their efforts to remove the junta, as the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, clings to power despite the suffering of the people.