Heavy flooding in southern Myanmar displaces more than 14,000 people

By GRANT PECK
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Flooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Myanmar’s southern areas has displaced more than 14,000 people and disrupted traffic on the rail lines that connect the country’s biggest cities. A senior official at the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement says constant rainfall in the Bago region that began last week has caused flooding in the low-lying areas of its capital, Bago township. Witnesses said the floodwaters stood as much as 8 feet deep. Myanmar’s Meteorological Department says rain or thundershowers was forecast for across the country until noon on Tuesday.