Floodwater has begun entering low-lying wards and roads in Hpa-An, Karen State, as the Salween River continues to rise, according to local residents and social relief organizations.
According to measurements by Myanmar’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, the Salween River in Hpa-An reached 820 centimeters at 6:30 a.m. on August 10, about 70 centimeters above the danger level of 750 centimeters.
Rising river levels have caused flooding in low-lying areas of Hpa-An, including Shwe Hnin Si Ward No. 1, the Floating Market in Ward No. 2, and Seik-Pe Road, Myitta Road and Zeytana Road.
Flooding has also worsened around Kukkoinpin Oak Road, the compound of Basic Education Primary School No. 2 and near the entrance to Seik-Htaing-Su Bridge. Water on roads in some areas has reached about one foot deep, according to residents.
“The water has been gradually rising since the 8th. Now it has risen quite a lot. The river level increased significantly overnight, and all the low-lying areas are flooded,” a Hpa-An resident said.
The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has warned that the Salween River could rise by another foot within the next 24 hours and remain above the danger level. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to move to safer locations.
As the river continues to rise, residents in flooded low-lying wards have begun moving important belongings to safer places and making preparations for possible further flooding.
