Burma flood death toll rises to 74, 89 missing

According to official figures, floods and landslides following Typhoon Yagi have killed nearly 350 people in Burma, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

The death toll from flooding in Myanmar caused by Typhoon Yagi has more than doubled, with 74 people dead and 89 missing, according to state media on Sunday. Swathes of farmland have been flooded in central Myanmar, particularly around the capital Naypyidaw, and landslides have been reported in mountainous areas. With roads and bridges damaged and phone and internet lines down, it is difficult to gather information on the situation, while The junta appealed for international help yesterday.

The country’s authorities have opened 82 camps to house people forced to leave their homes, according to state media.

This catastrophe further aggravates the misery in Burma, which has plunged into a humanitarian, security and political crisis since the February 2021 coup against the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

According to official figures, floods and landslides have killed nearly 350 people in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand following Typhoon Yagi, which hit the region last weekend.

Thailand’s weather bureau warned of further heavy rains in provinces along the Mekong River on Sunday. Typhoon Bebinca has approached China’s densely populated eastern coast and the megacity of Shanghai, where authorities have warned residents of potentially heavy rains. “torrential”.

Scientists say climate change is making the monsoon, which hits Southeast Asia from June to September, stronger and more erratic. But a study published in July found that climate change is causing typhoons to form closer to shore, intensify more quickly and linger over land for longer.

Since the 19th century, the average temperature of the Earth has warmed by 1.1°C. Scientists have established with certainty that this increase is due to human activities, consumers of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas). This warming, unprecedented in its speed, threatens the future of our societies and biodiversity. But solutions – renewable energies, moderation, reduction of meat consumption – exist. Discover our answers to your questions on the climate crisis.