Important: All UNHCR services and assistance are free of charge.
Myanmar frequently experiences severe flooding, especially during the monsoon season. Low-lying areas, river basins, and delta regions are particularly vulnerable to rising waters, heavy rainfall, and landslides. Being informed and prepared can help protect lives, property, and livelihoods. This guide offers essential flood safety tips for individuals, families, and communities across Myanmar. Whether you live in a flood-prone area or simply want to be ready, these steps will help you stay safe and resilient before, during, and after a flood. If you or someone you know has been affected by flooding and needs assistance, or if you have questions about support provided by UNHCR, please contact UNHCR.
1. How to Prepare Before a Flood (when anticipating a flood) ⬇️
- Stay Informed: Regularly monitor weather updates from reliable sources such as local radio, television, SMS alerts, or the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (Moezala) website. Only share verified information and avoid spreading rumors.
- Understand the Risks: Learn about the potential impacts of a flood in your area, including property damage, disruption of essential services, health hazards, road closures, and the possibility of evacuation. Fastened loose objects inside and outside of your house.
- Monitor local water levels: Be aware of and take note of the potentially dangerous flood levels of rivers and streams in your surroundings.
- Prepare Life-Saving Equipment: Keep items such as lifejackets, buoys, tightly sealed empty plastic buckets, logs, and car tyre tubes ready and accessible.
- Create a Family Emergency Plan: Identify evacuation routes, shelter locations, meeting points, communication methods, and emergency contacts. Make sure every family member understands the plan. Never hand your child over to a stranger who might offer help.
- Prepare emergency bags: Collect all the things you will need in one bag in case there is a need to evacuate. Include essentials like clean water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a power bank, first aid supplies, and necessary medications. Store the kit in an easily accessible location.
- Protect Important Documents: Store them in a safe place, such as a waterproof container.
- Collect Safe Drinking Water: Store clean drinking water in sealed containers ahead of time, as access to safe water may become limited during flooding.
- Practice Drills: Conduct evacuation drills so everyone knows what to do and where to go in an emergency.
2. How to Act During a Flood ⬇️
- Stay Informed:Continuously listen to weather updates issued by the relevant government departments, such as the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH). Follow their recommendations and share verified information with others.
- Turn Off Electrical Appliances: Switch off household electrical appliances and power switches to prevent accidents.
- Use Safe Drinking Water Only: Always drink purified water — either boiled, filtered, or treated with water purification tablets.
- Check for Dangerous Animals: Inspect your home and yard for the presence of poisonous or dangerous animals.
- Follow Official Guidance: If instructed, follow the instructions of emergency responders and authorities to evacuate to the designated safe area without delay.
- Protect Animals: Avoid tying animals unless absolutely necessary.
- Stay Out of Water: Do not swim or walk through floodwater unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Avoid Riverbanks and Stream Edges: Do not go near rivers, streams, or embankments in flooded areas, as they may be eroded and prone to collapse.
- Avoid Using Wet Electrical Devices: Do not use electrical appliances or devices that have been exposed to water.
- If you are in a car:
- Stay away from bridges during flooding, as they may be structurally weakened or at risk of collapse.
- Do NOT drive around barricades as emergency responders and local authorities often use them to keep people out of flood-prone areas.
- Do NOT attempt to drive through high water even if you think you can make it through.
3. How to Act After a Flood ⬇️
- Report Missing Family Members: If any family members are missing or separated, notify the relevant authorities immediately.
- Stay Informed: Continue listening to weather updates issued by the relevant government departments, such as the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), and follow their recommendations.
- Clean Up Properly: Dispose waste properly. Burn or bury dead animals in a safe and sanitary manner.
- Avoid Hazards: Watch out for dangerous power lines, electric poles, and fallen trees or branches. Report them to the authorities and assist in clearing them if safe to do so.
- Be Aware of Post-Flood Risks: Pay attention to potential hazards and infectious diseases that may arise after flooding.
- Be Aware of Shifted Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Floodwaters may have moved or uncovered landmines or UXO. Avoid touching or approaching suspicious objects.
- Participate in Recovery Efforts: Cooperate and assist in rescue and emergency recovery operations.
- Don’t Believe Rumors: Do not trust or act on unverified information that has not been officially announced by the authorities.
- Avoid Contaminated Water Sources: Do not use water from unclean or unsafe sources.
- Avoid Spoiled Food: Do not eat food that has been soaked in water or has an unpleasant smell.
- Don’t Walk Barefoot in Floodwater: Always wear footwear when walking through or near flood-affected areas.
- Avoid Driving Unless Necessary: Do not drive through flooded areas unless it is an emergency. Roads may be damaged or submerged, posing serious risks to safety.
Myanmar is prone to the devastating impacts of tropical cyclones, especially in coastal and delta regions. With its long coastline along the Bay of Bengal, the country is vulnerable to strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and flooding during cyclone season. Being prepared and knowing how to respond before, during, and after a cyclone can save lives and reduce damage.
This guide provides practical safety tips to help individuals, families, and communities in Myanmar stay safe and resilient in the face of cyclones. Whether you live in a high-risk area or are simply looking to be better prepared, these steps will help you protect yourself and your loved ones.
If you or someone you know have been affected by the cyclone and need support or if you have any questions regarding the assistance provided by UNHCR, please contact UNHCR.
1. How to Prepare Before a Cyclone ⬇️
- Stay Informed: Regularly monitor weather updates from reliable sources such as local radio, television, SMS alerts, or the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (Moezala) website. Only share verified information and avoid spreading rumors.
- Understand the Risks: Learn about the potential impacts of cyclones in your area, including strong winds, heavy rain, storm surges, and flooding.
- Assemble an Emergency Kit: Include essentials like clean water, long-lasting food, a flashlight, batteries, a power bank, first aid supplies, and necessary medications. Store the kit in an easily accessible location.
- Protect Important Documents: Store them in a safe place, such as a waterproof container.
- Prepare Life-Saving Equipment: Keep items such as lifejackets, buoys, tightly sealed empty plastic buckets, logs, and car tyre tubes ready and accessible.
- Create a Family Emergency Plan: Identify evacuation routes, shelter locations, meeting points, communication methods, and emergency contacts. Make sure every family member understands the plan.
- Keep all family members together: Before the cyclone, select a specific place where you can get together again, if anyone gets separated. Never hand your child over to a stranger who might offer help.
- Secure Your Property: Fasten loose objects inside and outside the house including tin sheet roofing, board up windows, check fences, and trim trees.
- Turn Off Utilities and unplug all electronic devices: When not in use, shut off gas and electrical appliances to reduce the risk of leaks, fires, or electric shocks.
- Practice Drills: Conduct evacuation drills so everyone knows what to do and where to go in an emergency.
2. How to Act During a Cyclone ⬇️
- Follow Official Instructions: Stay updated with guidance from emergency services and local authorities. Share accurate information with others and avoid spreading rumors.
- Beware of the Eye: If the wind suddenly stops, it may be the eye of the cyclone. Stay indoors, as strong winds will return from the opposite direction.
- Stay Indoors: Remain in a secure part of your home, away from windows and doors, until authorities confirm it is safe to go outside.
- Stay Out of Water: Do not swim or walk through water unless it is absolutely necessary.
- Protect Animals: Avoid tying animals unless absolutely necessary.
- Avoid Coastal Areas: Stay away from beaches, riversides, and coastal zones, even if the weather seems to improve temporarily.
- Drink Safe Water: Use only clean, boiled, or disinfected water.
- If you are outside during a cyclone:
- Find shelter immediately: Seek the nearest sturdy building, preferably made of concrete or brick. Avoid weak structures such as sheds, tin-roof huts, or temporary shelters.
- If no shelter is available: Lie flat in a low-lying area, away from trees, power lines, and poles. Use your arms or a bag to shield your head from flying debris. Cover yourself with anything available, such as a blanket, jacket, or bag, to protect against wind and debris.
3. How to Act After a Cyclone ⬇️
- Assess Damage: Check your home for structural damage and electrical hazards. Evacuate if the building is unsafe.
- Check for Injuries: If safe, check on neighbors and offer help if needed.
- Stay Indoors: Remain inside until authorities confirm it is safe to go out.
- Communicate with Family: Ensure all family members are safe and accounted for.
- Avoid Contaminated Water: Do not use water from unclean or uncertain sources.
- Stay Away from Hazards: Avoid damaged buildings, fallen trees, and unstable hillsides.
- Be Aware of Shifted Landmines and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO): Floodwaters may have moved or uncovered landmines or UXO. Avoid touching or approaching suspicious objects.
- Follow Official Guidance: Adhere to instructions from emergency responders and local authorities. Only share verified information and avoid spreading rumors.
