At least 20 killed in Myanmar floods

At least 20 people were killed and thousands others were affected by heavy rainfall, resulting flash floods in some parts of Myanmar over the past week, Director of Department of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement U Chun Hayel told Xinhua Tuesday.

He told Xinhua that the severe floods triggered by heavy downpour that have been lashing Sagaing and Mandalay regions as well as Kachin and Shan states over the past week till Monday destroyed over 17,000 houses, affecting nearly 100,000 people.

The flooding due to heavy rainfall in many parts of the country had also damaged roads and bridges, hindering transportation services.

Regional authorities were carrying out rescue and relief work in flood-hit areas, he said.

Meanwhile, the weather bureau predicts that central Myanmar areas will experience a continuation or increase of rain in the next two days.

The weather bureau has urged fishing boats at sea to be alert to the severe weather conditions.