30 Aug 2018 | 06:05 AM UTC
Myanmar: Flooding from breached dam displaces 63,000 August 30 /update 1
Floodwaters from central Myanmar dam displaces at least 63,000, two people missing as of August 30; Yangon-Mandalay highway remains closed
Event
State officials announced Thursday, August 30, that more than 63,000 people were displaced due to flooding following the failure of a dam spillway in central Myanmar (Bago region). A spillway on the Swar Chaung dam ruptured on Wednesday morning (local time), August 29, sending heavy floodwaters down Swar creek. Surging water as high as 2.4 m (8 ft) damaged a bridge on the Yangon-Mandalay highway and submerged portions of 85 villages and the towns of Swar and Yedashe. At least two people are still missing as of Thursday and presumed to be dead. Traffic between Yangon, Mandalay, and the capital of Naypyitaw remains disrupted due to the highway closure.
Advice
Individuals present in the affected areas are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate localized flooding and associated road hazards, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.
