YANGON, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Three people have been killed by monsoon flooding which occurred in Myanmar's states and regions since last month, an official from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement told Xinhua.
"About nine states and regions including Kayin, Mon states and Bago regions have been suffering from monsoon flooding since July. So far, two deaths were reported in Magway region and one in Kachin state," said Daw Phyu Lei Lei Tun, director of disaster management department under the ministry.
At present, flooding displaced over 5,800 residents and about 21 relief camps have been opened to accommodate flood-hit residents in some townships of Kayin state while provision of relief kits to flood victims are being carried out by the ministry in flood affected regions and states, she added.
Meanwhile, water levels of Sittaung, Shwe Kyin, Bago rivers in Bago region and Nga Wun and toe rivers in Ayeyarwady region were forecast to remain above its danger level, according to the latest forecast by the Meteorology and Hydrology Department.
The department also forecast that water levels of Thanlwin, Thaungyin rivers in Kayin state and Bilin river of Mon state will continue rising for at least 24 hours.
Also, the department stated that monsoon is vigorous over the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Frequent squalls with rough to very rough seas are forecast to be experienced off and along Myanmar coasts and surface wind speed in squalls may reach 40-45 miles per hour, according to the department's latest weather report.
Rain and thundershowers are also forecast for Myanmar's regions and states until Thursday morning
Flash floods and landslides accompanied by heavy rainfall and strong wind are frequent in Myanmar during the monsoon period, especially in hilly areas and low lying areas and residents in those areas are warned to take precautionary measures.
Myanmar suffered serve monsoon flooding in July, 2015, claiming at least 103 lives and affecting people mostly in western part of the country -- Magway and Sagaing regions, and Chin and Rakhine states, respectively.
