International Desk, 15th September: The death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Myanmar has climbed to at least 74, with 89 people still missing, according to Myanmar’s state television. The devastating storm triggered severe flooding and landslides across the country, with authorities fearing that the actual number of casualties could be even higher due to challenges in gathering information.
The new official death toll, announced by the country’s military government, is more than double the 33 deaths initially reported on September 13. Typhoon Yagi had previously wreaked havoc in Vietnam, northern Thailand, and Laos, where it claimed over 260 lives and caused significant damage.
In the aftermath, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, head of Myanmar’s ruling military council, revealed that the country is seeking international relief aid. Reports indicate that nearly 240,000 people have been displaced due to the storm, adding to the 3.4 million already displaced in Myanmar by conflict and unrest as of early September.
Low-lying areas in Mandalay, Bago, eastern Shan state, and Naypyitaw have been submerged since Wednesday. As rescue and recovery efforts continue, local reports suggest that over 100 people remain unaccounted for, with concerns that the death toll could rise further.
Complicating the relief efforts is Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict, which began in 2021 following the military’s takeover from the elected government. Independent analysts believe that the military currently controls less than half of the country’s territory, further hampering the ability to assess and respond to the disaster.