Myanmar floods leave a million affected as death toll passes 100

Close to one million people have been affected and more than 100 killed in floods in Myanmar as on Sunday (9 August), with many low-lying areas in the southwestern delta still inundated.

Two of the rivers receded a bit but could breach their banks again, reported local state-run media.

Responding to the country's appeal for aid, many nations and international organisations are rushing food and water to the region.

Most of the casualties have been reported from the Irrawaddy Delta, said Phyu Lei Lei Tun, director of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. The majority of people living here are impoverished.

The delta where many rivers meet on way to the sea has seen the floods submerge paddy fields and homes, reports AP.

Many refuse to leave their inundated homes while others used rafts to reach safety.

Rice crop has been destroyed on 100,000 acres, according to the agriculture ministry.

The government has been accused of responding slowly to the crisis. However, unlike in 2008 during Cyclone Nargis when it refused outside help, this time around the government has sought international aid.

The United Nations pledged $9m (£6m) in assistance this past week and its agencies were scaling up their emergency response.

The UN's World Food Programme has delivered aid to 82,000 people in the worst hit parts of western Myanmar, and is working to reach 200,000 people.

Flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rains since June were compounded by Cyclone Komen. The impact was felt in 12 out of Myanmar's 14 states and more than 200,000 people are believed to be in need of food and water. Rakhine state was the worst hit.

The monsoon has also left many dead in India and other South Asian nations. Nearly 200 people lost their lives in India and Pakistan, with millions displaced in the latter.