Sagaing flood relief teams blocked and restricted by Myanmar military junta forces

Mizzima

Local sources report that aid workers attempting to provide relief to flood victims in Sagaing Region, who are suffering from the double impact of conflict and flooding, are facing obstruction, blockades, and threats from Myanmar junta forces.

Civil society relief groups are reportedly being threatened not only at checkpoints, including the Sagaing (Yadanabon) Bridge checkpoint, but also during summoned meetings.

An official from the Shwebo Township People’s Defense Force (PDF) said: “The military forces are threatening and blocking people at the Sagaing Hnapauk and Ayeyarwady Bridge checkpoints. Relief teams are only permitted to travel to Madaya and junta-controlled villages near Sagaing town. The Shwebo District Police Chief has also threatened those intending to provide flood relief from the town, stating that their homes will be sealed off as it constitutes supporting terrorism.”

“Relief aid is completely inadequate. Although the NUG, PDFs, and local civil society groups are helping, they have to operate amidst military blockades, which presents immense challenges,” said a volunteer assisting the flood victims.

The flood-affected areas in Sagaing Region are currently zones of intense military conflict between junta troops and allied revolutionary forces. These areas have frequently suffered junta airstrikes and face military-imposed restrictions on transporting food, fuel, medicine, and basic consumer goods.

Pro-junta propaganda Telegram channels have also disseminated disinformation regarding the Sagaing flood relief, claiming that people are gathering to rob aid workers and that mines are being planted.

“The rescue volunteers haven’t even gone yet, but crowds are already gathering to rob them, and mines are being planted along the way before the military, police, and firefighters arrive. If you really want to help instead of just talking big online, and if your intentions are genuine, tell the PDFs you support to personally request aid from the nearest military battalions. Just don’t bring guns along,” wrote Ba Nyunt, a pro-military propaganda Telegram channel.

Due to heavy rainfall since 4 August, excess water from the Thaphanseik Reservoir, Kintat Diversion Weir, and Kabo Dam has been discharged into the Mu River. Combined with rising river levels, this has triggered severe flooding along the Mu River and its tributaries.

Flooding currently affects townships along the Mu River and its tributaries, including Taze, Ye-U, Khin-U, Depayin, Kanbalu, Kyunhla, Shwebo, Ayadaw, Kawlin, Wetlet, Myinmu, Banmauk, and Sagaing town. Tens of thousands of residents and internally displaced persons (IDPs) urgently require relief assistance.

On 13 August, because the Thaphanseik Dam exceeded its holding capacity and rains persisted, all spillway gates were opened. As these waters will soon reach the lower Mu River, Kabo Dam, and Kintat Dam, warnings are being broadcast via communication radios and social media, urging residents near the riverbanks below the Thaphanseik Dam and its tributaries to remain vigilant and evacuate to safer areas.

“Since this is the second water release, I urge citizens not to be careless and to evacuate beforehand to ensure their safety,” the Shwebo PDF official added.

Approximately 200 villages along the banks of the Mu River and its tributaries are flooded, including, 21 villages and 18 villages in Depayin Township, 19 villages in western Khin-U, 15 villages in western Wetlet, 14 villages in Kanbalu, 20 villages in Taze, urban wards and over 50 villages in Ye-U, and about 20 villages in Shwebo.

According to NUG data and local sources, flooding in Sagaing Region between 6 and 12 August claimed a total of 23 lives eight in Depayin, one in Shwebo, one in Khin-U, one in Wetlet, eight in Kyunhla, three in Kawlin, two in Taze, and one in Kanbalu. Two local residents from Kawlin Township remain missing.

With massive relief requirements in Sagaing, the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Sagaing Federal Unit, an interim administration formed in November 2025 by NLD lawmakers ousted in the 2021 coup, have jointly formed the Joint Emergency Response Committee (JERC).

Heavy rainfall nationwide has pushed rivers and streams above danger levels, causing flooding in low-lying areas near waterways across Myanmar, not only in Sagaing.