Myanmar says the number of people affected by flooding nationwide is approaching 1 million, with waters in the low-lying southwestern region inundating homes and forcing villagers into temporary shelters.
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The delta where many rivers meet on way to the sea has seen the floods submergepaddy fields and homes, reports AP.
Rice crop has been destroyed on 100,000 acres, according to the agriculture ministry. However, unlike in 2008 during Cyclone Nargis when it refused outside help, this time around the government has sought global aid.
Worldwide aid is on the way to the hardest-hit areas, the Associated Press reported, as the floodwaters have reached the roofs of some homes.
The United Nations pledged $9 million in assistance this past week, but so far most help has come from private citizens and non-governmental organizations.
In recent days fears have grown for rising waters in the the more downstream areas.
Though schools in some areas have reopened, fresh warnings have been issued to people living in the Irrawaddy Delta region.
The flood disaster has affected more than 330,000 people across the nation and 505,215 hectares of farmland were submerged, according to the updated figures.
The New Light of Myanmar state-run newspaper said water levels in the Irrawaddy and Ngawun rivers had fallen slightly on Sunday, but remained at risk of bursting their banks. Almost 200 people lost their lives in India and Pakistan, with millions displaced in the latter. Severe flood, triggered by heavy rainfall since June, has affected many parts of the country, destroying houses, farmland, railway lines, bridges and roads.
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“They (government officials) have understood that in a crisis like this, you need to be able to get staff to the affected areas as quickly as possible, and humanitarian staff may be coming from other countries, in surge”, Peron said.
