Myanmar has been hit by deadly floods after Typhoon Yagi

Severe flooding has hit Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi, with more than 230,000 people forced to leave their homes, according to officials.

The country’s governing body has asked for foreign aid to mitigate the impact, state media reported. The capital Naypyidaw is among the hardest hit areas.

The floods killed at least 33 people, the country’s military said. Myanmar’s state-run daily New Light says temporary camps have been set up to help homeless victims.

The most powerful typhoon in Asia this year, Typhoon Yagi, has already flooded Vietnam, the Chinese island of Hainan and the Philippines.

Junta chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing and other Burmese officials visited areas hit by heavy flooding and assessed rescue and relief efforts, state media said.

Reports from Radio Free Asia indicate that the death toll is very high, as the US-backed broadcaster said at least 160 people have died due to floods and landslides.

A rescue worker in Taungoo told BBC Burmese on Saturday that more than 300 people were trapped by floods on the east bank of the Sittaung River.

“There are not enough boats to rescue us,” said the rescue worker.

Scientists say hurricanes and storms are becoming stronger and more frequent with climate change. Warmer ocean water means storms take on more energy, leading to higher wind speeds.

The warmer atmosphere also holds more moisture, which can lead to heavier rain.

Most of Myanmar’s population has been traumatized by a three-year civil war that has killed thousands of people and displaced more than 2.6 million people, according to the UN.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 18.6 million people are now estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance.

In an update on the ongoing humanitarian situation earlier this week, the International Red Cross (ICRC) said many families in Myanmar have limited access to clean water and sanitation, and are going without basic medicine and health care.

“They live with the fear of armed conflict and violence. Disruption of livelihoods leaves many people without means of livelihood,” said the president of the ICRC, Mirjana Spoljaric, on Wednesday.