More than 1,000 flood victims in Bhamo town, Kachin State, need food and medicines, according to rescue teams.
The Irrawaddy River rose by more than 120cm above its critical level in Bhamo on Friday with residents sheltering in monastery and schools.
Bhamo has three temporary shelters which cannot accommodate those displaced, the Thone Nya Thukha rescue team told The Irrawaddy.
“People need food and medicines. The toilets are insufficient,” a volunteer said.
Dhammikaryone monastery is reportedly hosting more than 700 residents.
The river in Bhamo town on Friday reached 1,275cm with the critical level set at 1,150cm, the Central Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said.
The department predicted the river would reach 1,285cm in Bhamo within 24 hours.
A peak of the Irrawaddy in Bhamo was recorded at 1,338cm in 2004, the Thone Nya Thukha team said.
Kachin State Department of Meteorology and Hydrology official Ko Naing Lin Htwe advised people along the Irrawaddy to move to higher ground.
Many Bhamo houses are submerged, a resident said.
Since June 29 heavy rains have flooded the N Mei and Malikha rivers, which are tributaries for the Irrawaddy.
The Irrawaddy flooded Myitkyina and Waingmaw this week.
Since Wednesday, the Irrawaddy has fallen in Myitkyina but it continues to rise downriver in Bhamo and Shwegu.
Over 10 villages, including Sue Poat Kone, Par Kaung and Kaung Sint, to the west of Bhamo, were submerged with water levels around 4.5m above normal levels, according to a volunteer.
“The regime is doing nothing for the victims. They just greeted residents and volunteers for a photo opportunity at a safe place,” a Bhamo resident said.
Bhamo town has around 10 rescue teams operating.
