YANGON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw had toured three flood-ravaged areas in Magway region, the country's central part, to comfort the flood victims there, official report said Monday.
The three areas are Minbu, Pwintphyu and Pakokku where rescue and relief operations are still underway.
Meeting with the flood victims on Sunday, U Htin Kyaw highlighted the joint efforts made by the government, the army, the police force, local residents and civil society in helping the victims in the difficult time.
He pledged the government's continued assistance to the plight of the victims.
Incessant rain has been battling the Magway region for two months, prompting the evacuation of over 30,000 households from 360 villages in 15 townships to monasteries and schools in safer villages.
However, the number of flood victims continued to rise in lower part of Myanmar despite the closure of some relief camps in the upper part of the country, according to the Department of Relief and Resettlement.
Statistics show that the total number of such victims in seven regions and states has hit over 336,000.
In Kachin, Sagaing and Magway states and regions, there saw slight drop of water level with some relief camps being closed, allowing the flood victims to start to return homes .
The Ayeyawaddy region was worst hit by flood this year.
Triggered by continued torrential rain since early last month, flooding also swept across western Rakhine state affecting Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U and Minbya townships and impacting about local 10,000 people.
