Yangon, Myanmar

The death toll from Typhoon Yagi in Myanmar has risen to 74. The jump in the death toll comes a day after the junta made a rare request for foreign aid to combat the tragic natural disaster. Furthermore, 89 people are missing.

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According to official figures, floods, and landslides because of the Typhoon that hit the region last week have killed almost 350 people across Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.

Search and rescue operations underway

Typhoon Yagi is the strongest storm to hit Asia this year. As the flood waters from swollen rivers inundate cities across the region, in Myanmar, the floods "resulted in 74 deaths and 89 people missing" as of Friday evening.

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Also read | Myanmar Junta makes rare request for foreign aid as country battles with massive floods

According to the Global New Light of Myanmar, the floods have destroyed over 65,000 houses and five dams. 

Search and rescue operations are underway to look for those missing.

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In Myanmar, swathes of farmlands have been inundated, including around the sprawling, low-lying capital Naypyidaw, reports news agency AFP. Landslides have been reported in hilly areas. However, with phone and internet lines down, compiling information has proven difficult.

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According to state media reports, authorities have opened 82 "relief camps" to house displaced people.

Junta's rare plea for aid

On Saturday (Sep 14), Myanmar's junta chief made a rare request for foreign aid to deal with the floods, reported state media.

Previously, on Friday, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing according to the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said, "Officials from the government need to contact foreign countries to receive rescue and relief aid to be provided to the victims."

"It is necessary to manage rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures as quickly as possible," he was quoted as saying.

This unexpected appeal follows the military's track record of blocking international humanitarian aid. Just last year, the military halted travel authorisations for aid groups trying to reach around a million victims of powerful Cyclone Mocha.

(With inputs from agencies)