The Ayeyarwady (also known as Irrawaddy) river continues to rise with water levels already 3 to 4 feet above normal, and further rain expected. The President of the country declared the affected areas natural disaster zones on 31 July.
According to the Ministry of Livestock, Fishery and Rural Development (MLFRD), it is estimated that
4,500 animals and nearly 11,000 acres of aquaculture operations have been destroyed by the floods.
The worst affected areas are the Rakhine, Sagaing and Magwe Regions in the north and west of the country. The MLFRD has distributed animal vaccines and other medications to prevent disease outbreaks.
Large areas of rice paddy fields and other crops have been destroyed, and exports have been suspended to prevent price hikes for staple crops.
The Myanmar government is now helping flood victims in affected areas and providing food, drinking water, medicines and other emergency items. The government has asked for international aid to deal with the situation.
