Last week, Typhoon Yagi and seasonal monsoon rains triggered catastrophic floods and landslides across Myanmar, claiming at least 226 lives, with 77 still missing, according to state media reports. This disaster has pushed the total death toll across Southeast Asia from the storm to over 500.
Typhoon Yagi first made landfall in the Philippines before carving its path across northern Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, and as of September 13, 2024, it is now moving past Hanoi. Rescue efforts across the region have been hindered by communication breakdowns, and in Myanmar, the situation is worsened by ongoing civil conflict. Analysts estimate that the ruling military government controls less than half of the country's territory, making coordinated relief efforts even more challenging.
Myanmar, already reeling from a civil war that began in 2021, is now grappling with the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that over 630,000 people have been affected by the widespread flooding, adding to the 3.4 million displaced by ongoing internal conflict.
The central regions of Mandalay, Magway, and Bago, as well as the Ayeyarwaddy Delta and the eastern states of Shan, Kayah, Kayin, and Mon, have been hardest hit. While some areas are seeing water levels recede, others, especially Shan and Kayah, remain critically flooded. The damage extends across key infrastructure, with more than 160,000 homes destroyed and 240,000 people displaced.
The flooding has also caused extensive damage to infrastructure and livelihoods. Over 1,000 schools, religious buildings, roads, and bridges have been destroyed, alongside telecom towers and power structures. Agricultural damage is equally severe, with 259,000 hectares of farmland ruined and nearly 130,000 livestock lost. In total, 438 temporary relief camps have been set up, housing those displaced by the disaster.
Efforts to deliver urgent supplies—food, water, medicine, and shelter—are ongoing but are slowed by damaged infrastructure and armed clashes. The UN and international relief organizations have identified these as critical needs, but reaching remote areas remains a challenge.
Vice Senior General Soe Win, the second-ranking member of Myanmar’s ruling military council, has confirmed that international aid is arriving, with more relief expected from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He noted that the extent of the flooding in the capital, Naypyitaw, is unprecedented, with recovery efforts set to begin as waters recede.
Myanmar is no stranger to extreme weather. In 2008, Cyclone Nargis claimed more than 138,000 lives, and now, the country faces yet another monumental challenge. As Typhoon Yagi moves past Vietnam and Hanoi, Myanmar must grapple with rebuilding while also facing the continued struggles of civil unrest.
