Two people in Myanmar were reported missing on 30 August, one day after the Swar Chaung dam broke in the country’s Bago region and caused serious floods, according to Myanmar officials.

The authorised force evacuate people in Bago region of Myanmar after the dam break (Photo: VNA)

The officials said the two victims were likely to have been swept away when the dam collapsed, which caused severe floods in the two neighbouring towns of Swar and Yedashe, as well as 85 nearby villages.

Local media said 65,000 people were forced to leave their homes due to the incident. More than 12,600 people were taken to shelters at 30 temporary camps.

On the morning of 30 August, residents of Yedashe town returned home as floodwater started to recede.

Rescuers and soldiers negotiated muddy waters in boats trying to reach the thousands still stranded after the dam collapse. Huge torrents of water from the Swar Chaung dam fractured part of a bridge on the highway connecting Myanmar’s major cities of Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyitaw capital, throwing the country's traffic arteries into disarray.

Around 500 people have been dispatched to repair the bridge, said Myanmar Minister of Construction Han Zaw.

Meanwhile, the cause of the incident is still being investigated.

Myanmar unfortunately suffers from many severe rains and floods each year. In July, widespread flash floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains claimed at least 11 lives and displaced more than 100,000 people.

(Source: VNA)