As reported on Tuesday by state media, Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most violent storm of the year, has claimed the lives of at least 220 people and nearly 80 went missing in Myanmar. The heavy monsoon has brought damage to the central regions of Mandalay, Magway, Bago, and the Ayeyarwaddy Delta also. The eastern states, Shan, Kayah, Kayin, and Mon have also been affected.

 The floods have resulted in the deaths of more than 500 people across the regions so far.

What Caused the Floods?

According to the Ministry of Information, torrential rains have resulted in the rise of water levels in rivers and creeks. The situation worsened, damaging the infrastructure and crops in 84 townships, including the capital Naypyidaw.

631,000 people have been affected by flooding, as stated by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Additionally, the UN issued a warning, that over 500,000 people need food, clothing, and drinking water.

What’s the Take of Myanmar Administration?

The water has swept inside more than 158,000 homes, 117 government offices and buildings, 1,040 schools, 386 religious buildings, roads, bridges, power towers, and telecom towers.

Typhoon Yagi’s destruction has compelled junta commander Min Aung Hlaing to request international assistance. According to the state media, he said, “Government officials must get in touch with foreign nations to arrange for rescue and relief assistance.”

According to the reports of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance, Typhoon Yagi earlier struck Vietnam, northern Thailand, and Laos. It claimed the lives of almost 300 people in Vietnam, 42 in Thailand, and four in Laos. 21 people were reported dead and 26 went missing in the Philippines.

Similar destructive weather has hit Myanmar previously as well. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis killed more than 138,000 people.

Experts have cautioned that due to climate change, storms like Yagi may occur more frequently and with greater destruction. “Heavier rainfall and higher wind speeds are caused by storms that are fueled by warmer ocean waters,” stated the director of the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Benjamin Horton to the Associated Press.

Aid Provided by India

The administration stated that India, keeping with its first responder commitment in humanitarian disasters, dispatched the first tranche of 21-tonne aid supplies, within hours of receiving a request from Myanmar.

The Indian Navy’s INS Satpura was sent to Yangon, carrying HADR pallets with tents, generator sets, and ready-to-eat meals. Other supplies included kitchen sets, solar lamps, medical supplies, mosquito nets and repellents, water purification tablets, and disinfectants.