Record rainfall hits Myanmar, triggers landslides & floods

Severe weather triggered landslides and flooding in southern Myanmar, with its southernmost town Kawthaung experiencing its heaviest single-day rainfall in 76 years.

According to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Kawthaung, a town located in Tanintharyi region, recorded 253 mm of rainfall on Tuesday, surpassing the 232 mm figure recorded in July 2021, reports Xinhua news agency.

Heavy rains and strong winds caused landslides and falling trees in Kawthaung, Dawei, and Myeik towns in Tanintharyi on Tuesday, the Fire Services Department reported.

A man in Myeik town of Tanintharyi also died on Tuesday after a tree fell on him due to the severe weather conditions, local media reported citing rescue organizations.

Additionally, several towns in Mon state, which shares its border with the Tanintharyi region, experienced flooding on Tuesday, and rescue workers evacuated people in boats from the streets of Mudon and Thanbyuzayat towns.

Myanmar's weather bureau issued warnings about rising water levels in certain rivers which might remain above danger levels for the next two days, urging people living near the riverbanks and low-lying areas to take precautionary measures.