Thein Sein has asked people to evacuate the flat areas around the river, which could break its banks in several places. Homes and crops at risk. Among the most threatened areas the center and the south of the country, where rice production is concentrated. China and India have begun to send aid to the population.

Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Burmese President Thein Sein has ordered the evacuation of low-lying areas near the Irrawaddy: in several places the river is threatening to break its banks and flood the surrounding areas.

The inhabitants can only rely on sandbags and other objects to try to save themselves from the flooding, in an attempt not to lose their homes, fields and crops. "Since we can not prevent natural disasters - said the head of state, addressing the people - I invite my fellow citizens [who live in areas at risk] to move to safer areas ... This is the best solution”.

In recent weeks, the floods caused by heavy monsoon rains have led to extensive damage in many countries of South and South-east Asia(including Myanmar), causing hundreds of deaths and millions of displaced.

In the former Burma the most recent data speaks of 74 dead and 330 thousand people affected in various ways, forced to seek shelter in monasteries or in other shelters.

 

Currently the most affected areas are the regions of the center and south of the country, which is concentrated in the production of rice and other cereals; farmers are grappling in an attempt to control the floods, while the Irrawaddy River is swelling dangerously at various points. President Thein Sein has confirmed that, in some places, the river has "exceeded danger levels."

However, the evacuation order is too late for some villages around Hinthada, where waters have reached the height of doors and windows and locals wander the streets in boats. In many places people are struggling against time to pile sandbags on the edge of the river.

Meanwhile, China and India - both with strong economic interests in Myanmar - have begun to send aid to the Burmese people affected by the floods. The New Delhi air forces have sent sacks of rice, medicine and other basic necessities; in northeast China a convoy of 14 trucks crossed the border between the Chinese province of Yunnan and the Shan State in Myanmar, with 100 tons of rice, rain-proof tents, milk powder and instant soups.

In recent days, the archbishop of Yangon, Card. Charles Bo appealed  to the Burmese and the international Catholic community, to send food and relief "for the victims of floods in Myanmar." He described his homeland as a "wounded region, battered by the fury of nature, waiting for a compassionate response”. The Cardinal appealed “on behalf of the suffering people to friends and benefactors, to be good Samaritans" in these difficult hours for the population.

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