Flooding leaves 3 dead in southeastern Myanmar

Monsoon flooding in southeastern Myanmar has left three dead, one missing and has displaced more than 38,000 others, official reports said today.

State-owned television said heavy rains have fallen since July 27 in six townships in Karen state and three townships in Mon state near the border with Thailand.

It said 38,000 displaced people are being housed in 113 emergency centers, and that about 31,000 acres of rice fields have been damaged and 245 schools have been closed.

Flooding is common during Myanmar's monsoon season, which typically starts in late May and ends in mid-October.