Catastrophic Typhoon Yagi in Myanmar Leaves Over 100 Dead, Thousands Displaced

More than 100 lives have been tragically lost in Myanmar following severe flooding and deadly mudslides triggered by the remnants of Typhoon Yagi. The nation’s military spokesperson, Zaw Min Tun, confirmed that 113 people have perished, with 64 still unaccounted for—though local sources fear the true toll may be even higher. Over 320,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes, seeking refuge in temporary shelters, as reported by AFP. This catastrophic storm, Asia’s most powerful this year, has already wreaked havoc across Vietnam, Laos, Hainan, and the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

Typhoon Yagi’s Widespread Devastation Across Southeast Asia

The devastation caused by Typhoon Yagi before it reached Myanmar was already staggering, with at least 287 lives lost. Despite being downgraded to a tropical depression after hitting northern Vietnam, the storm has unleashed relentless landslides across Southeast Asia. In Myanmar alone, nearly 66,000 homes, 375 schools, and a monastery have been obliterated, according to state media. Roads and critical infrastructure have been swept away, and over 236,000 displaced people are now housed in 187 relief camps.

Fears of Higher Death Toll in Myanmar’s Worst-Hit Regions

The hardest-hit regions include Kayah, Kayin, Mandalay, Mon, and Shan states. Some fear the death toll is far worse than reported, with sources like Radio Free Asia estimating at least 160 fatalities, while social media tied to the junta claims as many as 230 deaths in the Mandalay area. By Saturday, Japan’s NHK confirmed that more than 120 lives had been lost.

Kalaw’s Struggle Against Rising Floodwaters

In the hill town of Kalaw, Shan state, the devastating floods claimed at least 12 lives by Saturday, including an eight-year-old child, according to reports from Eleven Myanmar. One local man described his desperate attempts to save others as 4-meter-high floodwaters surged through the town on September 10, recounting how he saw families stranded on rooftops. “I heard there were 40 bodies in the hospital,” he told AFP. Another local businesswoman reported that her staff claimed as many as 60 had died.

Myanmar’s Civil War and the Compounding Crisis

Myanmar, already crippled by a three-year civil war following the 2021 military coup, faces even more tragedy, with the UN estimating thousands dead and 2.6 million displaced by the conflict. The Shan state, home to several armed insurgent groups, faces additional challenges with these disasters. Myanmar’s information ministry reported that emergency workers are on the ground providing food, water, and medical aid to those affected while working to restore damaged infrastructure.

The Role of Climate Change in Intensifying Storms

Experts warn that climate change is making storms like Yagi more powerful and frequent, with warmer oceans fueling stronger winds and more intense rainfall. Yagi is expected to move away from Myanmar soon, but another tropical depression looms on the horizon in the western Pacific.