YANGON, August 5, 2015 — On Wednesday, the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement said that death toll from intense flooding across Myanmar rose to 69, with 259,799 people affected by the disaster so far.
Four states and regions — Rakhine, Chin, Sagaing and Magway have been declared as “natural disaster affected areas.” The flooding has submerged massive areas of the country.
The Meteorology and Hydrology Department warned, flooding has started to move southwards and is likely to expand and damage more places.
With relief aid worth 300,000 U.S. dollars, Chinese rescue operations led by Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Hong Liang have begun its operation covering Rakhine State as well as Sagaing and Magway regions.
To extend helping hand to people affected by the severe flooding,a ten-member team from China’s largest non-governmental humanitarian organization – the Blue Sky Rescue Team reached in Yangon Tuesday.
UN and international humanitarian organizations are set to provide international flood assistance to the affected areas, responding to the Myanmar authorities’ appeal on Tuesday.
Norway, Singapore and Thailand including  some countries have also pledged to provide emergency aid to the affected areas.
1,100, 612 acres (445,747 hectares) of farmlands were submerged in 13 regions and states in the country, of which Bago Region is affected the most with over 307,429 acres (124,508 hectares) submerged, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
Destroying houses, farmland, railway lines, bridges and roads, flooding caused by heavy seasonal rainfall since June has hit people from most of the parts of country.
