Yangon to face high risk of floods after heavy rainfall

METEOROLOGISTS have warned that if heavy rainfall in Yangon coincides with the excep­tionally high tides of the Yangon River from 13 to 15 June, the riverside and creek-side townships in Yangon may experience flooding.

“Due to changes in the monsoon wind pat­terns, strong monsoon rain is entering Myanmar from the south and south­west of the country. As a result, Taninthayi Region is expected to receive the highest rainfall, while Ra­khine, Chin, Mon, Kayin, Ayeyawady and Yangon regions are at Level-7 for heavy rainfall potential. Yangon, being densely populated and situated along the Yangon River, needs to pay special at­tention from 13 to 15 June because of the exception­ally high tides. River wa­ter levels may rise more than 22 feet above the ba­sic water level, and if this coincides with heavy rain, low-lying wards, riverside neighbourhoods and vil­lage roads throughout Yangon may be flooded. The risk period is from 10 to 15 June, especially the three days from the 14th waxing day of Nayon to the 1st waxing day of Waso,” said meteorologist U Win Naing.

If heavy rain occurs during the periods of ex­ceptionally high tide in the morning, afternoon and evening, residents in low-lying wards and those living along the Hlaing River, Yangon River, Bago River, Pazundaung Creek and the Yangon River estuary are advised to remain alert and make preparations. The flood­ing warnings have been issued for townships along Yangon’s waterfront and areas along Pazundaung Creek, including Dawbon, Thakayta, Ahlon and Da­gon Myothit (Seikkan) townships, during the three days from the 14th waxing day of Nayon to the 1st waxing day of Waso.

During the 2024 rainy season, low-lying wards in Yangon experienced flooding, and also Aung Mingala bus terminal. The blockages caused by gar­bage dumped into drain­age systems prevented wastewater from residen­tial areas and wards from flowing properly through the main drains into the Yangon, Hlaing, Pan Hlaing and Bago rivers, contributing to flooding in wards and villages during heavy rainfall.

“The storm that struck Japan on 9 June has now weakened in the upper atmosphere, allowing the monsoon winds crossing the Bay of Bengal to enter My­anmar strongly. There­fore, Yangon, Bago and Ayeyawady regions may receive heavy rainfall. On 11 June, heavy rain in Lower Myanmar may damage roads and bridg­es. On 12 June, Yangon and Ayeyawady may ex­perience torrential rain. Heavy rainfall is likely to be seen in Lower Myan­mar this week, said me­teorologist U Htay Tint.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), there is a 60 to 80 per cent chance that La Niña conditions will emerge in the world. Myanmar is among the countries expected to be affect­ed. Due to the impact of La Niña, the country is already experiencing stronger monsoon effects, and throughout the rainy season, there are expect­ed to be periods of intense rainfall, temporary breaks and renewed downpours. — Oktha/KTZH