Depression Tracks Towards Kyaikto, Gulf of Mottama After Yangon

THE remnants of a de­pression that had crossed Thailand regained strength as they moved back into the Andaman Sea and de­veloped into a depression over lower Myanmar. The system passed over Yangon yesterday afternoon, caus­ing heavy rain and flooding on roads, and was forecast to pass directly between Kyaikto and the Gulf of Mot­tama at night, according to the Department of Meteor­ology and Hydrology.

Heavy rain lasting more than 20 minutes around 3 pm caused flood­ing on roads and drainage systems across Yangon. The rain temporarily stopped at 3:23 pm, allow­ing floodwaters on major roads to recede. Although clouds remained over the city, traffic during school dismissal and office hours continued normally.

“The current depres­sion is now over Yangon. Although the rain stopped in the evening, there are still dark clouds, so more rain is expected. Rainfall could be heavy due to the depression. Tonight, the de­pression is expected to pass directly between Kyaikto and the Gulf of Mottama. The regional government is overseeing preparations to respond promptly to any incidents that may occur due to the heavy rainfall. Yangon is expected to re­ceive between three and four inches of rainfall with­in 24 hours,” said Dr May Khin Chaw, director of the department.

Under the supervi­sion of the Yangon Region government, fire services, health officials, the Red Cross and social rescue or­ganizations are on standby to respond to flooding and fallen or damaged trees.

The depression is fore­cast to move through Bago, Pyu, and Nay Pyi Taw to­wards Sagaing Region on 29 September, gradually weakening along its path. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZHa